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LOOKING AHEAD TO ARSENAL 7-9-06
Karl Watson and Tom Warnock
Warnock says...
Here we are a mere three games into the new season and we're 'treated' to an international break already. In recent years its hardly been a joy watching England stutter past mediocre opposition when all we really want is to watch our Boro instead.
This season however, is slightly different as we have added interest from our point of view with Stewart Downing starting on the left and our former leader Steve McClaren taking charge. It's early days but is it possible that in international management he's found his forte?
The performance of Stewart in the Andorra game received mixed reactions among the press. We know it wasn't his best game but he still did enough to warrant his selection in my opinion. The partnership with Ashley Cole looked very promising for England and it seemed to work better than his partnership with his Chelsea namesake. It's not very often we see a Boro player, let alone a Middlesbrough born player starting for England, and Stew is certainly doing the region proud. Just a thought, I can't see any Geordies or Mackems adorning the three lions, can you?
Not wanting to dwell on the Portsmouth result, looking ahead to Arsenal at the weekend we have renewed reasons to be optimistic. The arrivals did indeed arrive, although frustratingly late. But we were promised signings and we have got them.
Looking at Arsenal, it was a nightmare fixture away to them last season, but at least it's not at Highbury again, where we were used to enduring our yearly hammering. It's a new stadium and we need to banish those memories and move forward. If I was the boss I would look at maybe starting with a defensive shape and line-up, similar to the one that started versus Pompey, but we would need to make any possession count, using Downing and Morrison for counter attacks. We're never going to dictate away to Arsenal, so we must look to use possession whenever we have it and rely on Yakubu to finish any chances and Viduka to hold up the play and give the defence a rest as much as possible.
It wouldn't come as a surprise to many if we were to beat Arsenal. We did it last season at home and we must try to nullify their strengths and play to our own - counter attacking and defence, which is now good enough - but show concentration and determination in order to get back to our best. I'm sure that will happen with the new arrivals and some continuity in the back four personnel.
So we've signed two new defenders and Jason Euell, who can play up front or in midfield, if he plays at all that is. The question is what can he offer us that Charlton didn't see in him last season? Time will tell. Woodgate is an acquisition we can't underestimate, and being a Boro lad he has reason to want to perform, other than to get back into the Real Madrid team next season. He is being hotly tipped to be re-called to the England set-up by Steve McClaren but any more 4-0 reverses and he won't get a look in. However it's hard to see how we can possibly be any worse with two high class additions to the rear guard.
In fact, it's a possibility we could be seeing an all-English back four, something which many fans would welcome. This would mean the inclusion of young left back Andrew Taylor, and Woodgate partnering Riggot with Parnaby occupying the right back slot. Although the price tag slapped on Huth makes it hard to envisage Southgate leaving him out of the side.
Seeing Woodgate arrive at the club made me think perhaps Gareth might reconsider his captain's appointment. Woodgate has good motivational and organisational skills and he is a Teessider through and through. I actually believe the only thing perhaps preventing a change in captains at this stage is the fact that Woodgate's stay at the Boro is (for now) only temporary. However I for one would have no qualms with changing the captain if it would help sort out our back line.
Back on the international front, and sticking with captains, Lee Cattermole captained the England U19's on Tuesday night, a proud moment for him and all watching Boro fans. After his less than complimentary reports from the Pompey game it was good to see a solid performance from the lad and he even came close to scoring as well with a dipping drive.
So with Stewart having once again peformed on the world stage for England, Arsenal is now on the horizon and we wait to see which Boro side will turn up. With the new look defence will it be the 0-7 Boro or the 2-1 Boro? So with that, let's all collectively pray for another giant killing, and less defence induced heart palpitations.
Watson Says...
So, Friday was an eventful day for Boro Fans, Jason Euell and Robert Huth were seen holding Middlesbrough footballs in their hands at the Rockcliffe training ground, and we also saw balls of a different kind printed in The Sun Newspaper.
What a frantic end it was to the summer transfer market where all transfers appeared to be taking place south of Newcastle. It appeared that the Huth deal would not go through in time, and BBC Ceefax published a headline early Friday morning saying the deal had not been completed. It sent me crazy. I was appalled at the way Chelsea had handled the situation. However I discovered that the deal had taken place just minutes before the deadline.
The deal taking Robert Huth to the Riverside Stadium from Champions Chelsea was something that really excited me, although the six million pound price tag did seem a lot to pay. However Time is on young Huth's side, and he is determined to prove his worth in England's elite division. The signing of the talented German international leaves manager Gareth Southgate with a great headache.
If you had asked Gareth what headache faced him after the 4-0 drubbing at home to Portsmouth it would most certainly have been, 'just how can we win games with a back four like that?' However Gareth's current headache reads, 'Out of the talented four I have, just who will I pick to be at the heart of our defence that will attempt to shut out every attack that we face?' I think we all know which headache we'd prefer Gareth to have.
From listening to many Newcastle fans, Jonathan Woodgate's major strength is his ability to read the game and organise the rest of the defence. This is something we are crying out for. Since Southgate's playing departure there seems to be a distinct lack of communication and organisation within the back line.
However what was most evident was the lack of a leader, someone that will bellow out instructions, someone to help those In need, and someone with a cool calm head. Woodgate possesses all these qualities and the acquisition of this local Boro lad is a huge accomplishment. It is the signing that makes me think, 'there is no team to fear now'. Our ability to keep clean sheets is most definitely back on the horizon.
So just whom does Gareth pick for our centre back partnership? A fully fit Jonathan Woodgate who has already proved himself to be a stunning centre half in the premiership is a must to start. He has attracted clubs such as Spanish giants Real Madrid and when fully on form will give Rio Ferdinand a run for his money for a starting place for country.
I feel Chris Riggott has struggled to take the reins from Gareth Southgate as Boro's number one centre half. It appears it has come just too soon for the former Derby County man. When he was frequently playing for Boro along side Gareth Southgate, he looked an immense player that would soon grow into a candidate for Steve McClaren's England Squad. Many things were expected of Chris and I just feel he needs someone to teach him for a few more years before he can begin to teach himself. Playing him alongside Woodgate would certainly bring out the best in him as he will be able to have a lot more freedom again. I'm certain we would see the best of Chris Riggott in this role.
It can be argued that a lot of fans would question the decision to spend six million pounds on a German international to warm the Riverside bench, especially when he has expressed such a desire to play. I would be surprised if Southgate was to place Huth on the substitute's bench, especially after paying such a tidy sum for him. Although I believe playing Woodgate and Riggott would be the ideal partnership, I feel Woodgate and Huth will be Gareth's first choice partnership.
In my previous article I stressed the need of a right-sided midfielder and a centre forward. In Jason Euell have we not killed two birds with one stone? Euell does have the ability to play both of these positions but I believe he has been brought in to fill the void on the right hand side rather than up front as we were able to keep Mark Viduka and Massimo Maccarone on deadline day.
The way in which Southgate was talking about Euell, and indeed the way in which Euell was talking, it appeared that Euell will be receiving a lot of first team action. However is Euell really the right man? Does he have lightening pace that will frighten defenders? Does he have the ability to get past full backs and swing world-class balls into the box both right and left footed? If Gareth has seen this In Jason then why was he neglected so badly at Charlton?
I feel James Morrison has not really been given a fair run in the team. Stars such as Gaizka Mendieta have been well ahead of James in the pecking order despite the fact that Morrison is a naturally right-sided player. Yes, he appears to cut inside on many occasions but perhaps he needs to be told 'keep glued to that touchline'? However, Euell did look delighted to be joining Middlesbrough and the fact that he slept with his Boro shirt on after the transfer was completed told me it looks like he will give his all for the red and white of Boro.
One thing that was very pleasing was the lack of stars that left Boro on deadline day, in particular Stewart Downing. I fully expect Stewy to be playing for a top four side in a few years time, but I would like to him to see out his current contract and continue his desire to play for the Boro. Stewart is now fully in contention to start regularly for England and he is a player that will be expecting to frequently play in Europe, win trophies, and play for a team that is very strong in the Premiership. If we are looking to keep him for many years to come these are boxes which need to be ticked, and ticked soon.
Although we all are desperate to see our new signings throw on the famous Red and White of Boro, it was the Dreadful Red of Andorra and the Brilliant White of England we were watching on Saturday, with many eyes latched upon Stewart Downing. First things first, it was a good, professional display by England, where gaining the three points was the primary objective.
I was pleased to see Steve McClaren encouraging the ball to go wide so we could see Stewy on the ball more often. I felt he did well but maybe could have done better. The delivery of the ball into the box was relatively inconsistent and he appeared to cross the ball early rather than taking on the full back and crossing from the by-line.
However there is no doubting Stewart will give - if he hasn't already - Joe Cole a run for his money on that left side. After all Steve McClaren did coach him for many years at Middlesbrough so he knows his game well. There will be a lot of pressure placed firmly upon Joe Cole's shoulders now, as finally there is someone that can naturally play well on the left side, and someone that can rival Cole in that position. If Joe Cole is not producing the sufficient goods for England then there will be cries from the crowd and many fans watching in pubs for the arrival of Downing.
So next for the Boro is a trip to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Saturday, a trip that was more feared after the defeat to Portsmouth. However, now we have signed two new centre backs our chances of taking something from the game has significantly improved, but it is certainly a big ask of our gladiators to go the Champions League runners-up ground and take something from the game.
Arsenal are a team that love to play the ball down the middle of the park. They excel in quick, smooth, one touch passes that rip up teams in a matter of minutes. Minutes we remember from last year. They like Thierry Henry to drop back and pick up the ball up on the left hand side on the halfway line, and worry defenders with his lightening pace, fantastic footwork and dribbling skills to die for. If Jason Euell is to start, it may be a debut he will never forget.
Arsenal have pace in abundance and they use their full backs frequently. They are a team that play exciting attacking football that is very difficult to defend against. Woodgate and Huth are defenders that I'm sure would prefer the ball to be played in the air.
So how do you beat Arsenal? There are weaknesses in their back four. They do have young full backs who when pressured are liable to errors. I feel if we are to take anything away from the game we should look to get the ball wide and get as many crosses into the box as we can. Jens Lehmann is a goalkeeper who likes to come off his line and collect every ball that comes into his box. If we swing as many balls as we can into the box there is a chance that Lehmann may spill a few of them and Yakubu or Viduka will be there to pounce like the poachers that they are.
The balance in midfield is a crucial element. As Arsenal like to go down the middle Gareth may be tempted to select Boateng and Cattermole again. However against Portsmouth both were unable to start attacks with defence splitting balls and both gave the ball away too easily. If we play two defensive midfielders we may be inviting pressure and may be in for another long afternoon.
However, Rockemback does look rather suspect defensively, and I don't think Mendieta has the ability to track back and chase the ball at pace anymore. Maybe playing James Morrison in the middle wouldn't be a bad decision. He likes a lot of freedom in midfield and he would play more towards the right hand side when going forward. This would enable him to cut inside and play balls for Euell to run onto, allowing us to get the ball into Arsenal's box more. Its something I'd like to see.
I just hope we go to Arsenal's fancy new stadium and give them a right good run for their money. I hope we don't sit back and admire their fancy flicks and tricks. They remind me a lot of Chelsea. If we put our foot in and ruffle them up, they find it hard to find their rhythm and play the football they want.
So Come on Boro - let's get revenge for what was a day to forget last year, and make this visit to London a trip to remember.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE NEW HOLGATE MESSAGE BOARD
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