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MIDDLESBROUGH v NOTTS COUNTY - BRIGGSY'S ANALYSIS 22-9-06
Three years ago we had just set out on a journey to win our first ever
major
trophy. It began with a routine 1-0 win against lowly Brighton. Last
night
we tried to follow that journey against lowly Notts County but failed
miserably.
Southgate adopted a 4-4-2 formation, with big Robert Huth making his
Middlesbrough debut. It also saw the return of Tony McMahon. I was
surprised
with the midfield selection. Mendi wide right, with Parnaby and
Cattermole
in the centre. But there was enough quality out there on the pitch to
see
off County, even if we were not at our best.
Despite quite a lot of early possession it was County who were the
first to
capitalize. A crucial defensive error from Tony McMahon gifted N'Toya
Zoa
with the perfect opportunity to put the League Two side ahead. The
forward slid the ball under Ross Turnbull to send the County fans into
delirium. It wasn't the best of starts but you expected a Premiership
outfit
to create enough chances to get back in the game. Sadly they were few
and
far between.
Our best chance of the half came on the forty minute mark. A McMahon
cross
was met nicely by Viduka, but his volley was superbly knocked behind by
County keeper Saul Deeney.
The first half literally passed us by with very little output. Our
midfield
was simply all over the place. Once again, as I've been saying in my
match
reports previously, we have no right hand side. Why Mendi continues to
be
played there simply blows my mind. What does he offer us there?
Then we
had
Parnaby and Cattermole in central midfield. Where was the spark? We had
no
link between the midfield and forwards and this was frustrating the strikers
who
were forced to come deep looking for the ball. The only good thing of
the
half for me was our left hand side, Johnson and Taylor producing some of
our
best play.
The team came out for the second half with the fans in need of a much
needed
boost, but sadly we were left frustrated. We nearly got back on level
turns
just five minutes into the half. A mix up in the county box presented
Mendi
with a decent opportunity, but the Spaniard snapped at the shot and
fired
over. He had more time than he thought and should have at least tested
the
County keeper.
Lawrie Dudfield had the chance to wrap up the game for county on the
hour
mark, but his close range volley was fired into the side netting. It
was a
let off for us and time for us to wake up because up until now we were
very
average. Our midfield was all over the place, too many sideward balls
and
not enough balls forward. Cattermole hit countless hopeful balls up to
the
strikers but what were they to do. Viduka needs the ball into feet not
balls
for him to run on to. We were simply wasting possession.
Southgate finally made a couple of long overdue changes. Morrison and
Euell
replaced the disappointing McMahon and Cattermole. This improved our
attacking play but we still lacked that extra bit of quality in the
final
third. Both Euell and then Huth, who was sent forward, were both denied
good
chances to draw level. But as the minutes ticked away it was becoming
clear
that this just wasn't our night.
When we were supposed to be putting County under pressure it was the
League
Two side who were playing keep ball and knocking it around like they were
the
Premiership side.
In the final moments Parnaby fired over from range.
We had
a couple of corners late on, but Mendi failed to best the first man on
numerous occasions and this summed up our night. It was a very
disappointing
night and it easy to see where our problems lie.
Our midfield was simply not good enough. We cannot play 4-4-2 against a
team
willing to battle for the points. We can play against teams who come
and set
the tempo, for example Chelsea and Arsenal. But when it comes for us to set the
tempo of the game we cannot. This must be addressed in the January
transfer
window. We need a proper midfielder in there, someone to give us a
spark.
Our right side also needs addressing and Mendi should never be played
there.
Also our right back position needs looking at. For me we haven't
replaced
Danny Mills. Why he is playing on loan at a Championship side is beyond
me as it's a waste of talent. He's at the peak of his career and would walk
straight into our team. I'm sure it won't be too long before his
services are
snapped up.
To sum it up, was a very frustrating evening against a team we should have
never
lost to, but that's football. Credit to County who came and played
their
own game and deserved to win. OK, it wasn't our strongest team and
Southgate
has yet to get his own squad together but results like tonight are
simply
not good enough. Even though its very frustrating, we must give Southgate
time
to prove himself at the Boro.
Although it may not seem it, Wednesday night's result may be a blessing in
disguise. The Boro faithful were exhausted last season with the amount
of
cup games and many could simply not afford to keep up. Our league form
suffered
badly. This season we'll have much more time to focus on the bread and
butter stuff, the Premier League.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE NEW HOLGATE MESSAGE BOARD
BACK TO BRIGGSY INDEX
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