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MIDDLESBROUGH v BOLTON TACTICS TALK 19-1-07
Stuart Ward
Middlesbrough face the tough test of the Bolton Bullies coming to the Riverside. Middlesbrough sit seventh in the form table at the minute, and they will need to be on top of their game on Saturday against Sam Allardyce's heavy squad.
As always we start with Boro's opponents today.
Key Players
Nicolas Anelka - It would appear that the Frenchman has finally found somewhere he likes. This is probably because his manager is just as miserable as he is.
He has devastating pace, and a lethal eye for goal. He hasn't scored as many goals as he has liked so far, but seems to be picking up his form as of late.
Woodgate and Pogatetz will need to give him no room, otherwise he will wreak havoc.
Tal Ben Haim - The big defender has been linked with a move to Chelsea in recent days.
He is a giant of a man, and is good on the ground and in the air. He will almost certainly be assigned to rough up Viduka, so much will depend on how Vids copes with the attention he is going to receive.
He isn't the quickest of defenders, so if we can get him turned round and running back towards his own goal he could be in trouble.
El Hadj Diouf - A ridiculous name to type, so he will be called spitter from here on in.
Old Fatty Samkins is keen to say that Spitter is one of the best players in world football today. In reality he is a diving cheating wind-up merchant who everyone hates.
He is alright on the ball and has a few tricks, but if Boro kick him early doors he will go mental and get sent off.
Muppet.
The Manager
Sam Allardyce - THE single most odious, annoying, whinging man involved with Premier League football.
He has further slipped in my books by coming out in the press this week and bleating on YET AGAIN. This time about a player messing him about.
You see he wanted to sign some injury prone bloke from Birmingham. It was all agreed and stuff if you listen to fatty. Said player has now signed for his former club Blackburn again.
Sam doesn't like this and practically burst into tears in front of the sky cameras. Prat.
His teams still play horrible football too.
Possible Lineup.
Jaaskelainen
Hunt Ben Haim Meite Gardner
Stelios Speed Campo Diouf
Anelka Davies
The back four of this Bolton team is a big, strong, athletic unit.
They rough opposition forwards up, and get stuck in. The fullbacks will push forward, but not too much, as Allardyce likes his organisation at the back.
Gardner at left back in particular likes to bomb forward, this could leave James Morrison some space to move into and exploit.
The midfield of Bolton relies on workmanlike battlers in the middle and skill and flair on the wings.
Speed and Campo will do the donkey work, although Campo is a fairly decent passer of a ball. If you get past the Bean look-a-like he can't be arsed to catch up with you again.
Stelios and Diouf on the wings are both really forwards who play in midfield. As such, they will push forward to support the attacks as much as possible. This also indicates to me that they won't be as good at tracking back as they perhaps should be.
Speed is a threat at set pieces, he is a very good header of a football. He will need to be watched carefully as he also like to arrive late in the penalty area. It will be up to Cattermole to deny him this opportunity.
Up front, Donkey Davies will be re-united with Manu Pogatetz for the first time since he ran away scared after cutting Mad Dog's noggin open at La Riv.
Mad Dog doesn't forget. He will be crunched.
Bolton will look to boot the ball at the head of Davies who will elbow, back in and dive. Anelka and co. will look to pick up his scraps and cause trouble. Woodgate and Pog are in for a busy afternoon.
Now with them out of the way, its onto the Boro.
Key Players
Aiyegbeni Yakubu - The big Nigerian forward is back to his goal scoring best now.
He is on eleven for the season, joint fourth top scorer in the league, and looking dangerous at the minute.
It doesn't matter if he doesn't put in as much work as other, lesser able strikers. He is banging the goals in and looks a certainty to score twenty goals this season.
Mark Viduka - The V bomber is looking like the class act of the Boro side, and has decided to score a couple of goals too.
He has become vital to the Boro side. I personally believe that he is playing well to put himself in the shop window for another club to sign him in the summer, which would be a shame.
If he is on form again, we will win. Simple really.
Lee Cattermole - He will be asked to fill the central midfield destroyer role as Boateng looks likely to still be injured.
He will need to be at his all action best today to keep Gary Speed quiet. He is also looking more willing and able to get forward nowadays, which can only be a good thing.
The Manager
Gareth Southgate - It has been an interesting week in the life of the Gate.
He tried to convince everyone that Boro should be happy about having to hold on against a cack Championship side in the cup and also admitted that he wont be playing Fabio Rochembach all month.
On the footballing side of things, at least the team is entertaining us now. Long may it continue.
Likely Lineup
Schwarzer
Xavier Woodgate Pogatetz Taylor
Morrison Cattermole Arca Downing
Viduka Yakubu
Taylor will return for the youngster Hines in the only change to the Boro lineup.
Boro are looking a far better team recently. This is based on the fact that they now want to attack teams unlike the last few years.
In defence we look reasonably solid most of the time. Woodgate leads the line well, with Pogatetz next to him looking a far more rounded and solid player.
The fullbacks look to bomb forward and get past the midfield to provide attacking support and it is working well. We just need to make sure that we keep it tight at the back.
The midfield looks decent when Morrison plays. He looks good on the ball, and likes to attack his man. He is a constant source of threat for us, and provides some balance to Downing on the left.
In the middle, Cattermole will play alongside Arca. Lee will have to do the battling in order to let Arca pull the strings as he has been doing so well recently.
Up front, the Yak continues to drift out to the left, but is still scoring lots of goals. If he actually played as a centre forward then he would be top scorer in the league!
Viduka is the perfect link man for Boro. His touch is awesome, and he scored two decent goals against Hull in midweek. If he can continue to score, then Boro will continue to rise up the league.
How it will go
I am confident about this match. Bolton are in fifth place, but have stuttered somewhat since new year.
They haven't won at Boro since 1996, and I expect that run to continue with this match.
I honestly see Boro winning it 2-1. Yak to bag again.
Come on Boro.
TALK
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