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YOU'RE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR LAST GAME 30-8-06
Karl Watson and Tom Warnock
Warnock says...
There's many a phrase and cliché within football, most of which are used all too often, but in the instance of this particular column one of those phrases becomes very pertinent. Because in the week since my last article, a lot has gone on down at the Riverside, but Monday night served to prove to the fans, players and the coaching team alike that in fact 'you're only as good as your last game'.
Just five days after we did the impossible, beat the incredibles and became the first team to beat Mourinho's Chelsea after trailing the match, we let Pompey stroll into the Riverside and stroll out with equal ease and three points in the bag.
Let's not forget the Chelsea game, it was a magnificent performance and we deserved the three points without doubt, however as we know from last season, it all counts for nothing if you lose the next game to 'inferior' opponents, a title which teams will quickly be tagging us with if we don't improve vastly.
It's a habit Boro have become increasingly good at, looking back to last season's games versus the big guns, we followed up a hard fought 0-0 draw with ten men versus the champions of Europe by flopping 2-0 at Spurs. An inspired 2-1 win over Arsenal was followed up in the league by an away draw at Wigan (not bad in hindsight) and a home defeat to the Mackems (worse in hindsight!). And just in case you can't see where I'm going with this, after we trounced the Mancunians 4-1 at home, we flopped to a lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Everton.
No-one will ever know what goes on inside the minds of the players when they look at the next fixture, although something isn't right. Any team outside the top four must fancy their chances against us now; our line-up should be scaring oppositions and making them fight for every minute, but it isn't. They say there's no substitute for class, but without determination and concentration to accompany it, class gets you nowhere.
The problems were visible at Reading on the opening day, and it seems little or no work has been done to change anything. And following the Chelsea match it would seem logical to go into the Pompey tie with the team who finished the match. Gareth is a strong character, and he has already held his hands up and accepted responsibility. Yes Gareth, perhaps the line-up wasn't spot on, nor was there a real shape about the team, but to lose by four goals at home, in front of our own fans, against Portsmouth is just not acceptable.
After two nil, some of us had to start making our own entertainment, whether it was playing 'spot Bernie' or running onto the pitch in various fancy dress attire.
Joking aside, the situation hasn't changed one iota since last season, and its visible for all to see. But at the time of writing, we're lead to believe we may have two new centre backs being unveiled tomorrow.
I hate going too deep into tactical issues and implications, simply because it's plain to many Boro fans where we are going wrong. However I for one was dead against the line-up we started with on Monday night. Personally I believe Cattermole should never have been playing. It's illogical to play with two holding midfielders at home to Portsmouth, and surely Gareth must have some faith in his centre backs? Even if he did they didn't do him any favours.
The midfield was wrong all over for me, Mendieta just isn't a winger. He has a tendency to drift infield and lacks discipline to stretch the play and hug the touchline. This a role that James Morrison plays so well, and yet Mendieta is preferred. I struggle to see how Gareth didn't realise that all of our play would be forced through the middle and it would become overcrowded. It's possible that these were his tactics, but with Sol Campbell in such powerful mood, we never looked likely to break down Pompey this way and watching from the stands it became increasingly frustrating.
The inclusion of Cattermole from the start was a mistake in another way, because it meant Fabio Rochemback was getting splinters in his arse for no reason. Rochemback showed heart and determination and he bossed the midfield for the short time he was on. His playmaking abilities were missed and if Gareth did want to play through the middle, Fabio could have been the key to unlock Pompey's defence. It was not to be though. After promises of attacking football, are we already seeing a back-pedal into the dire, negative tactics which were so prevalent under McClaren?
The problems seem endless from the last game alone and we could sit and contemplate tactics until our faces go as red as our shirts, but fact is the Pompey line-up just wasn't 4-0 better than our line-up, and we weren't at the races from the beginning. No excuses.
The naïve, frail world of a football fan has been shown in its full this week, as one magnificent result is immediately disregarded and branded as a fluke in just a few days, and if things don't change, results like Chelsea will become few and far between.
Watson Says...
What a week it has been since I last wrote about our opening day collapse at Reading. We of course experienced scintillating highs during the defeat of Champions League contenders and reigning Champions Chelsea, yet we were all brought back to reality with a terrible bang with an embarrassing display against a very hard working Portsmouth side on Monday night.
But first things first, let's all remember last Wednesday when José's superstars came to town only for them to go back down the A19 with grim looks splashed upon their faces. The performance got what it deserved, three significant and valuable points and it was a fantastic way for Gareth to take his first victory in the Premiership. One he will never forget.
The performance was terrific despite Chelsea taking the lead against the run of play. Perhaps our players learnt something at the Madjeski? Despite trailing we should never give up. The second half display was stunning and it showed the type of character which our fans have been shouting out for.
Gareth's team talk was obviously awe inspiring as the players never let their heads go down and kept believing all the way to final whistle. If this game were under McClaren it would not have surprised me if our players were venturing towards to the corner flag desperately holding out for a battling draw. But obviously Gareth knew the game was ours for the taking and Mark Viduka ultimately obliged.
What made the victory that little bit sweeter was that José's Chelsea had never lost a Premiership game under him after they had gone in front. Our young, inexperienced team gave Mourinho's team a master class in how to battle and come out on the other side with three points, if only that feeling was to last all season.
I woke up on Tuesday morning once again with a sore throat, trying my best not to look at the morning newspapers. Of course I couldn't resist and deservedly so we took a hammering by the press. However there was one story which did catch my eye, the possible agreement which will see Boro born Jonathan Woodgate, return to his home town to play for his home town club - surely a boy-hood dream in the making?
If Jonathan had been watching last night he would have witnessed a woeful display by our back line and hopefully he will relish the chance to tidy-up the defence whilst listening to the Holgate boom out his name.
We are in very desperate need of not just two centre backs, but a right-sided winger and perhaps another striker. The defence, since Southgate has hung up his playing boots, looks very unorganised and very nervous at set pieces. Chris Riggott appears unable to direct teammates of their position and their actions.
Whilst under the wing of Gareth Southgate Chris looked very strong and able to cope with anything, which was thrown in his direction. On Monday night he has making unnecessary challenges, not winning the ball, and giving away free kicks in very dangerous positions. The back four appeared to lose its shape very easily and we don't seem to use our full backs as much as under McClaren.
After Portsmouth struck for the second time fingers were pointed and words were said, the captain George Boateng and teenage dynamo Andrew Taylor began to argue and disagree as to whose fault it really was. It showed a distinct lack of organisation and communication which is terribly worrying. As the players walked gingerly back to the half-way line it was young Lee Cattermole that could be seen encouraging and motivating the players on with furious hand clapping. None could be seen by captain George Boateng.
This was not the first time Lee was motivating the players as he did after the first goal. It made me ask 'just who is controlling these players on the pitch'? After Kanu had slotted away the third - which was such an embarrassing goal to concede - Yakubu proceeded in commencing the re-start only to point fingers whilst flinging accusations at some of the younger players. It was just cringe-worthy and highlighted how out of sorts the players really were.
The only entertainment that was seen in the eyes of Middlesbrough fans on Monday was the two pitch invaders hopefully captured by Sky Sports' television camera's, they received more of an ovation than the Boro team did when Chris Foy finally put us all out of our misery and blew the whistle for full time.
Gareth is obviously going to find his first season in charge very challenging and Monday outlined how important it is to select a midfield where the balance appears correct. Playing two defensive midfielders proved a mistake as going down the middle using two players who apply their trade as tacklers and not dribblers allowed Pompey's midfield to predict the forthcoming move.
It surprised me to learn that Gareth targeted himself as the primary cause to Monday's defeat. He told reporters that he had selected the wrong team and he was to blame. I beg to differ with Gareth, Yes he may not have got the balance right in midfield but the players seemed to lack quality and routine passes were misplaced very frequently.
We may have kept the ball well but moves broke down to easily and I'm sure Gareth would have encouraged a better second half display, but it just didnt arrive. Although I felt Viduka, Yakubu, and Mendieta tried very hard to turn things round, it just wasn't our night and it was a typical 'after the Lord Mayor's show' performance.
One element, which was particularly apparent, was the distinct lack of width. Downing and Taylor were making space for themselves down the left hand side but they were constantly neglected, particularly Taylor. Play appeared to move more down the middle of the park which was where the majority of the bodies were placed whilst Yakubu and Viduka didn't appear to be on the same wavelength when balls were clipped forward from our own half. Every move appeared to break down too easily. It highlighted the need for a right-sided winger. However, the type of player that would fit perfectly into our team currently appears unavailable, unless we were to venture into the Championship or abroad.
Steve Gibson would obviously have felt particularly blue on Monday evening and maybe the 4-0 thrashing will encourage him to dig deep into his pocket and once again reach for the elusive chequebook. Signing Woodgate on a year's loan with view to a permanent deal seems to be very much ideal right now, and I am also happy to welcome Robert Huth.
We need to sign players that can naturally fit into the team. For example Emmanuel Pogatetz is a decent full back but I'm sure not whether he is strong enough to become a centre back. Gaizka Mendieta is a talented footballer but it is clear to see he is not suited to the right side anymore, he likes to roam around the midfield and as a result we become vulnerable on the right side.
'We are building a team, not dismantling one' were the words of Keith Lamb when asked about the possible transfer of Stewart Downing. To me, Stewey looked distinctively disinterested on Monday and may have his mind set on a move to London. Spurs are after-all a team with UEFA cup football who frequently finish in the top eight of the Premiership. If the chairman accepts I would be very surprised if Stewart wasn't wearing a white shirt for England as well as Spurs by the time we arrive at the Emirates stadium. Downing is a player we have to look at keeping; he has a great deal of talent and is our main outlet on the flanks. Losing him would be an overwhelming blow.
So maybe an international break is just what we need right now, it gives Gareth time to look at what went wrong and how we can desperately improve from Monday's horror show. I hope we adopt similar tactics to those used by Harry Redknapp against Arsenal. His team on Monday were excellent, we were never allowed to settle on the ball, their movement amongst their midfield was top draw and they worked their socks off.
I hope after Monday that our players take a long hard look at themselves and realise that we are going to have to dig in during the next month. The next fixture at home against Blackburn could be a very important one if we fail to pick up any points in London against Arsenal, and in Lancashire versus Bolton.
I just wonder what Boro team will be running out at the Emirates stadium? I just hope a few more cheques have been written and additional squad numbers are to be added to the first team list to further complement the Woodgate and Huth signings.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE NEW HOLGATE MESSAGE BOARD
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