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CHARLTON AWAY WIN A PLATFORM FOR MORE 19-1-07
Karl Watson and Tom Warnock
No Warnock this week as he's engaged on other matters but here's one half of ComeOnBoro's double act...
Watson says:
As the coach departed the Valley late on Saturday afternoon, the Middlesbrough players must have felt like a great big weight had been lifted off their shoulders.
The away win at Charlton was welcomed with open arms on Teesside and the players have finally removed that monkey and that voodoo that has been haunting them for some time. The away win lifted us to the dizzy heights of twelfth after the victory and although we were a place lower on Sunday night, it just showed what an away victory can do.
Hopefully we can use this as a platform and win a few more games away from home. The players have publicly expressed their desire to play UEFA cup football next year however the only way this will turn into reality is if we can win more frequently away from the Riverside.
First things first and that is to stay in the Premiership. Charlton looked a defeated side when Yakubu thumped in another belter to take his Premiership tally into double figures for the season. The Charlton side showed little fight and if they continue in this manner they will find themselves in next season's Championship. The only fight we did see from them was Jimmy Floyd's disgusting challenge on George Boateng - a challenge that warranted an instant red card. If the only goal of the game had been that strike from the Dutchman it would have angered the travelling side.
Charlton have some very difficult fixtures facing them and I cannot see them taking any points from those. Watford already find themselves facing an uphill challenge for survival which in my opinion leaves just one place remaining. It must be the staff and player's target to keep well away from the dreaded eighteenth place. A few more wins may even see the Boro looking towards the top half of the table, but surely that is just wishful thinking?
The game was never going to jangle with the pacemakers or be graced with dazzling entertainment. It was a scrappy affair but what was reassuring was how the players entered the fray with this attitude. There were no attempts to play fantastic football or complete tricks worthy of the showboat. The quality showed even though we did play to our potential. Surely Southgate must take some of the credit.
With just over thirteen days remaining, we have finally seen some activity involving Middlesbrough and the transfer market. What initially caught my attention was the possible introduction of creative playmaker Zoltan Gera. He is a player I would welcome especially as he fills that right hand side. However according to reports it would mean exchanging Brad Jones and Adam Johnson.
I do not mind the selling of Brad Jones as I do not feel he will ever replace Mark Schwarzer as the club's number one, and when the big Aussie does leave, I don't think the little Aussie is what we need. However selling Adam Johnson would not satisfy me in the slightest.
I have always rated this kid and I feel he is just as good as Downing. Johnson has natural pace and can swing a superb ball into the box. The only thing that has hindered his chances of first team football has been Stewart Downing. Whenever Johnson has started for the club the opposition are warned of his threat and whenever Adam receives the ball he is instantly charged down by two opponents. This rarely happens to Downing and I'm not so sure if faced with two opponents that Downing could have coped any better than Johnson.
Johnson has spent time away on loan at clubs that offer a good level for him to learn and perhaps the coaches have taken a good look at him and feel he is not the player that we all hoped he would turn into. Another option in the event of the possible sale of Johnson would be the introduction of a fit Julio Arca. If push came to shove and Downing was injured or suspended then Arca would naturally play on the left hand side.
Middlesbrough have brought in a young Korean to the fray and this should appeal to many of the fans. After the opening day defeat to Reading, many fans argued how other teams brought in young unknown players and managed to turn them into good Premiership players. Reading have done it with their Korean and now Middlesbrough are trying the same. As this young Korean is a forward, it may suggest that Middlesbrough feel David Nugent is currently overpriced and they do not wish to pursue their interest in the under-21 star.
Tuesday's win over Hull at the Riverside was very satisfying if not a little nervy. At 3-0 I doubt there was one person in the Riverside who predicted 4-3 and it really should have never have got to that stage. The players need to be warned against complacency because we may find ourselves losing games that we should have tied up.
The game against Bristol City in the next round of the competition will be extremely tough. City are playing some good football and are on a fantastic run. They boast a good home record and if we are to progress then the players will have to be extremely professional.
Our next game sees a ruthless Bolton Wanderers side take a trip up the A19 and they will set out to boost their campaign for UEFA cup football with a priceless win. After Saturday our fixtures get very hard and although every game is important, if we can take something from Saturday's game it will instil more confidence into the players, which they can take with them into the Arsenal game.
Once again Viduka and Yakubu will be instrumental in the team's performance and the result so it is important that our strikers are the talking point by five o'clock and the not the Trotters.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE NEW HOLGATE MESSAGE BOARD
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