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ATTACKING CHELSEA IS THE KEY TO VICTORY 6-2-07
Karl Watson
As I thumped the table in sheer anger as Thierry Henry slipped the ball past Brad Jones I knew that the chance of the three points had passed Boro by. When the final whistle went I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.
Yes, a 1-1 draw against Arsenal is a great result but when the Gunners were reduced to ten men we had a great opportunity to grab all three. But in the end the coaching staff decided not to go gung-ho.
In the first half we showed Arsenal a great deal of respect - probably too much - and we weren't able to get out of our own half. Arsenal played some delightful football, showing Middlesbrough how to pass and how to move so effectively which resulted in a move which boasted over thirty passes and a shot from Thierry Henry which left even the Teesside public applauding.
In order to be a top four side we have to play similar football to the Gunners but we simply do not have enough flair, energy, pace and movement to do this. It left me thinking that if we are to finish in the top six we must play much better football.
The first half statistics weren't particularly kind to us Boro fans and the players got the kick up the backside they deserved which resulted in a greater second half performance.
Perhaps the penalty decision was a little dubious but let's compare Yakubu to Ronaldo's blatant dive against Spurs on Sunday. The two are not similar in the slightest, Yakubu was pushed to the floor even if it was outside the box, and Ronaldo dived yet again.
When Arsenal were reduced to ten men we failed to take full advantage. When any side is reduced to ten men you have to win the game and just because it was Arsenal we seemed to think the risk was too great. Arsenal have been made to look very vulnerable away from home and we should have done the same.
We needed to stretch their defence to the max but we failed to do this. Perhaps this was because Yakubu seemed magnetically charged to the touch line on the left hand side. This really puzzled me because surely a Downing delivery needs more than just Mark Viduka in the box? With Yakubu playing on that left hand side, it pushed every midfielder across and it resulted in the right sided midfielder turning into a makeshift striker.
Players were not played in the side position. Morrison had a great chance to score yet he had to cut in from the right and was unable to strike the ball with his left so instead he teed up Julio Arca on his right foot. The movement was all wrong.
We have to address this because the difference between taking three points on Saturday and just one was the movement of the players. We had the ball in good positions but we did not have an outlet in a good position. Abel Xavier had a decent game but he was unable to sprint up that right hand side when we really needed him to.
I wonder if Southgate is regretting not purchasing Zoltan Gera because Lee Cattermole does not have the credentials to play on that right hand side. He does not have the pace to take players on and in the end the ball goes back into the centre where George will give it away.
In the end I felt it was a good result, especially considering Arsenal usually give us a good hiding. I just feel that our fans are a little cheesed off with mediocrity every season and if we are to take that one step forward we have to start moving and passing better.
Next is a stern test away to a Chelsea side looking to pick up every point possible in their attempts to catch Manchester United at the top of the table. Without being too greedy, I just wish we could have played this game a couple of weeks earlier as John Terry will probably be fit to start against Boro. Chelsea are beatable as defensively they don't look too good and they do have a tendency to give the ball away cheaply in midfield.
Drogba and Shevchenko are playing very well at the minute and they will be a potent threat. It will be up to Jonathan Woodgate to make sure these two don't destroy what has been a good defensive record of late. Defensively we are beginning to look like the team of yesteryear that just didn't concede goals. Woodgate and Pogatetz have been excellent all season and just so long as they keep on doing their job at the back, we will always have a chance of taking something away from every game we play.
We do boast a good record against Chelsea and they must be wary of what Viduka and Yakubu can do to them, especially since it has been their goals that have defeated them in their last two visits to Teesside. If we are to take anything away from the game we have to keep things together for the first half. We are a good second half side and the longer the game stays level, the greater the chance of nicking a goal in the dying embers.
If this was a home game I would have no fears, however on our last away outing we played 4-5-1. I am hoping Gareth does not repeat this formation and continues with the orthodox 4-4-2 that has seen us rise up the table. Playing 4-5-1 against Chelsea is asking to get beat as it is inviting unnecessary pressure. Let's be honest, Chelsea are going to make chances no matter what our formation is so why not have a go? If we play 4-5-1 they will create more chances.
Although the race for the title may have been decided, what hasn't been is everyone else's fate. With the differences in points and positions being so close this season, there is a fine line between relegation and Europe. Our season could swing either way.
I do not see us picking up many points away from home from now until the end of the season. However, I do not see us being defeated at the Riverside without a very good fight. If we are to pick up more points than we lose I do not see why we cannot finish in sixth place. Our away form will shape our season.
What does worry me is a drop in form at home. If we go through a tough time at home where we fail to pick up points, we will get dragged into the dreaded relegation battle. We cannot rely on other teams to win or lose and determine our fate.
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