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MANCHESTER CITY IS A MUST WIN GAME 13-3-07
Karl Watson
After yet another pulsating cup tie, Middlesbrough will have to record a sensational victory at Old Trafford if we are to book our place in the semi-final of this year's F.A. Cup.
The result was a little disappointing, especially seeing as our performance perhaps deserved the victory. The effort of the players so late on in the season against the favourites for the Champions League was nothing short of remarkable. Every player that hurled the red shirt over their head did themselves proud on Saturday, and there was certainly no doubting the player's desire to win the game.
Manchester United did have the better of the first half but it was the way in which our players responded which caught my eye. Whilst discussing the game with Boro fans on Saturday I felt we had to get into the half time break at just one down to be in with a shout, but to get there level pegging after being outplayed for the majority of the half showed that our team does have magnificent character.
During the second half, Manchester United may have had the lion's share of possession but they failed to do little with it. Incidentally the only real thing Mark Schwarzer had to do in the game was pick the ball out of his own net; the way we defended was superb. They failed to really break down our rear guard and perhaps a draw was a little flattering for the soon to be Premiership champions.
After the game Sir Alex Ferguson spoke of how he felt his side's performance against Boro was one of their best in recent months, highlighting just how well Middlesbrough played as United failed to take back with them a vital win in their quest to win another treble.
As I woke this morning I was still feeling somewhat disappointed with the draw. Surely this has become the expectancy now of the Boro fans - no longer is a draw at home to Manchester United a particularly good result. We are now expecting to win. It is remarkable to think that before Christmas we were struggling to beat the likes of West Ham and Blackburn at home, and surely during those troubled times we would have been delighted with a draw at home to Manchester United. But no longer...
It appears as though this is a 'New Boro' and the there is an air around Teesside which suggests there is no reason to be glum when looking towards the future. It suggests that times ahead may be good and whatever happens from now until the end of the season we should be looking forward to the future of this club.
The players seemed devastated with the draw, especially when they were so close to victory on Saturday. It was a great atmosphere and a great game and for those twenty minutes in the second half we were all thinking about getting hold of our tickets for the semi-final.
Has our best chance of turning over the Red Devils came and passed us by? I certainly hope not. Yes, it will be extremely tough down to Manchester next Monday but as long as the players believe they can do it, they can.
The England games which follow the replay may play a tiny role. We will just have to wait and see whether or not Steve McClaren will have a little word with Sir Alex regarding certain players that will be extremely influential to England's qualification.
What does concern me is whether or not the players will be able to pick themselves up after what seemed like a disappointing result. Our season is not over by any stretch of the imagination. If we are to be defeated at Old Trafford there is a possibility of Europe through the Premiership, as our home form will help us pick up many points from now until the end of the season.
The players seemed so dejected and put so much into the game against United that it would not surprise me if a team struggling for form currently - in the shape of Manchester City - will come to the Riverside on Saturday and turn us over. Often performances after the Lord Mayor's show are followed up with lacklustre ones.
Manchester City are a side who are in turmoil. The previous months has seen a drop in attendances, a distinct lack of points, and uninspiring performances leaving them dangerously hovering over the relegation zone.
You would think that when they come to Teesside on Saturday that their performance will represent that of a team struggling and they will fight for every single ball, however I do not think this will be the case.
There is a distinct lack of quality in the Manchester City side and I don't think they have enough battling qualities in them to grind out a result against Southgate's men. We must take advantage of their slump in form and send them to the cleaners on Saturday which will instil a confidence that can be carried forward to the replay.
At home we are looking a very good side, and yet again a top four side failed to take a victory away with them from the Riverside. This must be the last thing Manchester City need right now - a trip to a side that has a good home record.
What appears particularly unfair is the how the replay comes two days after the City game on Saturday. This gives our players little time to rest and appropriately prepare themselves for what possibly is the biggest game of Boro's 2006/07 campaign. With the replay in mind, I believe Southgate should be resting the players that are the key to our success.
Downing could be replaced with Johnson, and Yakubu and Viduka could be replaced by Dong-Gook and Christie. Yes, our fans would not be impressed by such an inexperienced forward line but I'm sure most fans would take a weakened side on Saturday in order to have a good crack at Manchester United on the Monday.
Reports in Sunday's press suggested Jonathan Woodgate will snub a move to Newcastle, Arsenal, and Liverpool and secure a deal with Middlesbrough. Of course we all know to never believe a word that is said in the papers but reading this puts a smile on the face of every Boro fan, despite the questioning of the source's reliability.
Our F.A. Cup status resembles something of a half full glass, or is that a half empty one? Our chances of going to Old Trafford and picking something up are maybe slim, but we are still in this competition and as long as we are still in it, our players will keep on fighting, attempting to fulfil our dreams of picking up another piece of silverware in Southgate's maiden season.
Defeat in the F.A. Cup would not spell the end to our season; there is still the league to play for, though the F.A. Cup does remain the majority of people's priority. Our season could be over in a matter of days if we fail to beat Manchester City on Saturday and United on the Monday.
If we fail to beat City then perhaps our chances of Europe next year will be over, so in order to keep this dream alive, a win on Saturday is a must.
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