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MIDDLESBROUGH v EVERTON TACTICS TALK 14-10-06
Stuart Ward
With the International break out of the way, we can get back to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League and the more important matter of saving Boro's season.
As always it's the opposition frist and this week it's Everton.
Key Players
Andrew Johnson - Without doubt, the single biggest threat at Everton this season, and a major worry, provided he is fit. He is a lethal finisher with a top notch work rate. He doesn't mind being asked to plough a lone furrow up front and usually prefers it. He has proven to everyone that he is not just a one season wonder and he really does have the quality to make it at the top level. He has great pace, is strong and has a fantastic team-work ethic. He will probably have nearly fainted with excitement when he heard of Woodgate's injury, and he will be looking to do some serious damage today.
Mikel Arteta - The flamboyant Spanish star is proving to be a massive hit on Merseyside this season, becoming the brains behind most of their attacks. He is great on the ball and has fantastic technique and vision. He handles most of the freekicks for the Toffees, and is their main playmaker. He doesn't like a hard tackle, which is something George Boateng can hopefully exploit. A few crunchers early doors wouldn't go amiss.
Tim Cahill - The Australian International is fast establishing himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in the country. Very much in the Paul Scholes "arrive in the box late" style, he is a definite goal threat. He is another one who will need to be closely marshalled by the Boro midfield as well as the defence as he likes to arrive late onto the end of crosses, usually scoring if he does.
The Manager
David Moyes - The ginger Scotsman is really starting to make his mark on Everton. After leading Everton to the Champions League two years ago, Moyes' side struggled last year, being dumped from Europe at the earliest possible chance and struggling in the league. None of that this year as the Toffees boast an unbeaten record so far this term. The side have his usual doggedness in defence, but they have also added the strike power of Andy Johnson up front, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Possible Lineup and Formation
Tim Howard
Tony Hibbert - Joseph Yobo - Joleon Lescot - Gary Naysmith
Amdy Van Der Meyde - Mikel Arteta - Lee Carsley - Tim Cahill
Andy Johnson - Leon Osman
Right, well apparently Phil Neville buggered his hammy in the warm up for the England game midweek so he may be missing and working on this premise I would guess that Van Der Meyde comes in for him.
In defence, Everton are VERY solid at the minute. Yobo has been colossal for a while now, and he has a highly rated ex-Wolves player next to him in Joleon Lescott. They are both quick, powerful, athletic lads. Just what is needed against the Yak and Viduka combo. The full backs are both solid, but nothing spectacular, Downing could get some joy off them.
The midfield can either be four man, or Osman can drop back from up front to make it a five man midfield, with Osman, Arteta and Cahill given the freedom to bomb forward and support Johnson. This means there will be very little space in the middle of the park, so Boro will HAVE to get the balls wide, as what little space there is will be contested by the terrier like Carsley. It will not be pretty in there, so don't expect nice free flowing football folks.
Up front, it is most likely that Johnson will be left to work alone. He is VERY good at this. He will slip between the centre halves and full backs and try and get in behind the Boro defence, and without the game-reading abilities of Jonathan Woodgate, he could well have some success. As mentioned before, he will have three or four midfielders bombing forward to help him when the ball comes downfield. It is a formula that has worked so far.
Now for the Boro.
Key Players
Robert Huth - Widely tipped to make his first Premier League start for the Boro today, he will be pivotal in the match. Much will depend on how he slots in and how well he can gel with the erratic Pogatetz. He doesn't have the footballing brain that Woodgate has, but he has one thing on his side. He is a big bastard. He will need to dominate ANYTHING in the air, and all he needs to do is be solid. As much as we would all love to see him marauding off upfield to hit one of his pile driving shots but what he needs to do is concentrate on defending for the time being.
Stewart Downing - It will be interesting to see what happens with this young man today. I THINK that the Boro faithful are going to close ranks around their young England scapegoat. I HOPE that when his name is read out pre-match, the roar will be heard by all the soft southern muppets who have been treating him so unfairly. If we do that for him, I think he will reward us with a fantastic display. He needs to know that he is home, that he is amongst friends. So let's keep off his back and help him to help us.
George Boateng - You all know my thoughts on him by now. I don't think he is good enough. That said, if he can get back to how he USED to be, and be the driving force for us again, he will be welcomed back into my good books with open arms. Hopefully the end of international break will find him fully fit, and having had a crash course in the art of PASSING A DAMNED FOOTBALL! He will primarily need to scrap for the space to allow Rochembach the space to influence the game. If he can win that middle ground, then he will have done Boro a huge favour.
The Manager
Gareth Southgate - Despite the rumour mill going into overdrive about Curbishley being brought in to replace him, Gareth is still in place and is still "learning". He is saying the right things, but his team aren't doing the right things unfortunately. Reading his pre-match notes (I get a sneaky look at the programme before the day of the match) he still says he wants to see us playing attractive football. Well Gareth, time to show us matey.
Possible Lineup and Formation
Schwarzer
Davies - Huth - Pogatetz - Taylor
Morrison - Rochembach - Boateng - Downing
Viduka - Yakubu
Boateng and Huth will return to the Boro line up today, with Mendieta and Woodgate missing out, Woodgate because he is injured, Mendi because he is pants.
Defence will be interesting for the Boro. They were starting to look solid recently, well kind of. However the loss of Woodgate will be a huge blow. We are yet to see much of Huth but he has looked a little error prone for the reserves. However he is a full international at a young age, a big unit who is capable of dominating strikers. That is something Boro have not had for a long time. Young Taylor should keep his position at left back, despite the return to fitness of Arca and Davies should keep his place ahead of Parnaby (thank God).
In midfield, Boateng will come in to do his usual destroying role, and we all need to hope he hits top form ASAP. He needs to battle to make some room for Fabio to be able to get the ball and link up with his widemen and the front two. Downing and Morrison should see plenty of the ball, as the middle will be so congested, so they need to make the most of it. Downing needs to take this chance to ram the words of the southern numpties down their throats and I think he will.
Up front, we are told that Boro's coaching staff have been ordered to make Viduka and Yakubu play as a partnership. If they are successful the goals will fly in left right and centre. But it will take time, and today's match may come a bit too soon for them to do it today. I hope I am wrong though because if they do gel they have the potential and ability to score a lot of goals for the club. On an individual note, whilst missing a sitter against Sheffield United, Yakubu took his goal VERY well, and he has also scored for Nigeria in the week since. Hopefully this is something of a turn around for the big man.
How I think it will go.
Right, I am going to don my optimistic head today and say we are going to do it. I don't think we can stop Everton scoring, but I do think we are going to beat them. I can see Downing and the Yak having big games and I can see Boro wining 2-1 or 3-1. Christ I am feeling like mystic Meg.
Till next match
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