|
|
NOT THIS SATURDAY FEELING AGAIN 23-8-06
Karl Watson and Tom Warnock
Watson Says...
Not this Saturday feeling again! As the referee blew the final whistle at ten to five it struck me how much I dislike Saturdays. Lying on the floor with my hands on my head was something I had not done for a very long time, but I knew I had been here before and would be again.
Despite the lack of signings and an inexperienced manager I was still looking forward to seeing our gladiators throw on the famous red and white, but it was hardly an Oscar winning performance.
After dominating the first thirty minutes of the game it was the typical take the foot off the gas tactics, tactics deployed many times during the Steve McClaren era. This defeat however was one that could not be blamed on Gareth Southgate.
The tactics which were adopted by the players seemed like those that were second nature to them. Two minutes of utter madness had cost us dear once again but there was still another fourty-five minutes to play to grab a goal and leave the Madjeski with a win, and at worst a draw. Our shirt proudly displays a heroic Lion as our badge, however it was the Reading players that came roaring out ready to rip out the hearts of the opponents.
The second half display was lacklustre at best and asked the question, if this season is going to be a battle, do we hold the type of warriors which will sacrifice blood, sweat, and tears to save this fantastic club.
Talk of relegation was firmly upon the lips of many Boro fans after the game but let's remember this is only one game out of thirty-eight, and the last time we won an opening day fixture was at Coventry, some years ago.
The display on Saturday highlighted our great need to sign some new players that would create talk of top ten rather than bottom three.
The Reading team that took to the field on Saturday was a team that remained largely unchanged from the one that played in the Championship. It contained internationals who have played for Korea and Northern Ireland, whereas we had internationals who had just came back from the World Cup. It showed that in order to win games, whatever the quality of the opposition, our players must fight hard. However we lost the fight in every part of field.
The defending at times was utterly terrible and highlighted that Gareth needs to replace himself very quickly. Our defence lacked a cool, composed character that could keep his head while others were losing theirs. Chris Riggott is a great defender but he struggled to control our back four and evidently missed a father figure like Southgate next to him.
Julio Arca who looked good going forward clearly needs help on the left hand side. He made schoolboy errors on Saturday that cost us dear. His natural position at Sunderland was on the left wing with a left back behind him. Stuart Parnaby had a very strong end to last season but it was evident during our UEFA cup campaign that he had many weaknesses, weaknesses which were exploited at the weekend.
Our flanks were completely torn apart by players who had cost next to nothing whereas our superstars, on wages that Reading's players could only dream of, appeared disinterested after the break. Maybe it is time to look at some players that are willing to try their hardest for the club. Yes, there is no replacement for quality, but hard work comes bloody close. It was clear we missed a hungry Lee Cattermole and, during the first half, a very talented young lad in Andrew Taylor.
One thing which really disappointed me was that only two players went across to visit the 2,500 fans that had made the long journey from Teesside. We have been encouraged with piss poor radio adverts and letters through the post to renew our season tickets and be the twelfth man, and when we pay for tickets with our hard earned cash to see a performance without class, quality, or hunger it makes you ask yourself, 'why should I spend all this money?'
If we are to fill the Riverside we need to start putting on entertaining displays and wowing the crowd. However the game on Saturday was entertaining and we lost. Playing in front of empty seats is not what professionals want to be doing and this is why we unable to attract the really big names.
Although there were many negatives on Saturday, there were a few positives which place us in good stead for the rest of the season. For the first thirty minutes we passed the ball well, and we saw Stewart Downing taking on the defenders with his lightning pace and putting good balls into the box.
The one thing that particularly frightens me is at the end of last season I felt Aston Villa, Portsmouth, and Fulham were weaker than us and these were teams we should expect to finish ahead of. Villa have been taken over by a billionaire and have a quality manager, and Pompey have also been taken over. These two have strengthened and appear to be a lot stronger than what we are and it made me think just which teams are worse than we are? Maybe Manchester City and Fulham and the three teams that have just came up, and considering we were beaten by one of those teams on Saturday, this could be a very nervous season.
Our next four fixtures are games which we will find very difficult and it would not surprise our fans if we are sitting at the bottom of the table after these matches. It is too early to judge Gareth Southgate's performance; we will have to wait about eight or nine games before we can see where we are heading. I have full faith in Gareth's abilities and I'm sure he will not be satisfied with what happened at Reading and will do his hardest to get this club out of a forthcoming mess.
Maybe after Reading, playing the champions Chelsea is just what we need. When we played them last season we were in turmoil and could not buy a win. No one gave us a hope in hell and we trounced them 3-0. Can lightning strike twice?
Steve McClaren said it couldn't after the Basle game and we all know what happened against Steau. Our players will not be expected to win and the pressure will most certainly be on the champions. We all know after last season that we blew hot and cold too many times, but we always blew hot against the big boys, so come on Boro - let's make it another night to remember and put a dent in Chelsea's title hopes.
Warnock Says...
Finally the new season is upon us, however Saturday's display and ultimately the outcome, showed all the hallmarks of our performances from the back end of last season. Taking a two goal lead against a fired up team wasn't on the script as far as Reading were concerned, and the way we surrendered the impetus definitely wasn't on our script.
We know all too well about comebacks round our way and, take no credit away from Reading, it was an excellent comeback. However no-one can argue that an experienced outfit such as us should have been able to see the game out, even from such an early stage.
Indeed, there were many positives to take from the game, but our defensive frailties are becoming more than a concern. Where are the Boro who held out so valiantly against Roma, denied Chelsea at the Riverside, nullified Manchester United at Old Trafford and kept numerous UEFA Cup opponents at bay? Where's the grit gone? Where's the strict organisation gone? Where's the defence gone?
Looking in particular at the defensive changes - granted last season we were hardly consistent at the back - but as the aforementioned games proved, we were capable of digging in when needed. Crucially for me this summer we lost the familiarity of the back four.
The core of our defence, Gareth Southgate has swapped the shirt for the suit and Franck Queudrue swapped the smog for the smoke when he moved to Fulham. These are players who have been two of the first on the team sheet (up until McClaren began alienating Franck) and now neither are playing.
The injury of Ugo meant playing a makeshift centre half in Pogatetz. Does he really have the know-how or experience of playing in that position? And more importantly can Chris Riggot at his still young age give Pogatetz the guidance and reassurance in his adopted role?
I have always been a fan of Parnaby, and still remain so, however it was plain to see his weaknesses being exposed in the last third of last season. He admitted struggling with the amount of fixtures and his performances dipped as a result. He wasn't at fault during much of the Reading game and coped surprisingly better than Julio Arca in an unfamiliar position with Davies covering him at right back.
It seems Arca is to a degree being made a scapegoat - anything to do with the fact he's a former Mackem perhaps? - but I for one am not a fan of overly criticising individual players. Yes, he had a poor game and made an error but he was arguably one of our best players in pre-season and on occasions Downing was distinctly absent instead of getting back to help out Julio.
Every day it seems less likely we're going to sign a replacement for Gareth before the looming 31st August deadline. With Distin clearly not seeing eye to eye with the money men, the most viable option may be to gamble and take Huth on loan from Chelsea.
I cannot hide my disappointment at the lack of transfer activity, Southgate has spoken out saying he is happy with the current squad, however if no more signings walk through the door, particularly a defender, I fear we may be consigned to another bottom half finish.
A quick look ahead to Chelsea. The champions will be licking their lips at the prospect of our sieve resembling back line, however I wouldn't be overly shocked if we can cause them some discomfort.
McClaren had an amazing knack for outsmarting the big name teams and managers and it will be interesting to see the kind of tactics Gareth adopts for such a test. A defeat would leave us with zero points and Portsmouth at home, then Arsenal away to come. Neither of these are games we would expect to win.
If we are not careful we may end up with zero points after four games and worrying where our first wins are coming from. I have no doubt however that we can learn from the mistakes we made at Reading and try to upset the champions, but for that to happen every player must be on their game, because Chelsea's players certainly will be.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE NEW HOLGATE MESSAGE BOARD
BACK TO WATSON AND WARNOCK INDEX
|
|
|
|
