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WITHOUT ROUND, BORO MAY FIND AN EDGE 19-12-06
Rob Dixon
Ah, the BBC Sports Review of the Year. Once an enjoyable run-through of the greatest sportsman to achieve accolades over a glorious year. Now, a shambles.
I know I face ridicule from the horse-riding crowd (and I know many of you in your spare time away from the Riverside love to saddle up), but Zara Phillips' win was a kick in the face of proper sport.
Reading comments on the BBC website, people stood up for Zara's victory because 'people don't realise how dangerous the sport is, many riders die every year'. Oh yeah, she's really taking a risk by jumping on a horse. I'm sure Messrs Calzaghe and Hatton thought 'wow, she's really been through the mill, I mean, we only punch each other into oblivion a few times a year!'
As you can guess, I would have gone for either the two boxers or Darren Clarke. I'm not a boxing or golf fan, but these are people who have won titles in real competitive sports. We all know that Mr Clarke has had a hell of the year too.
My mini-rant doesn't end there though, as the lack of a mention of lowly Middlesbrough irritated me. Arsenal got a mention for their Champions League efforts but why didn't we? It's safe to say our achievement was far more unbelievable than the Gunners'.
Even our beloved ex-manager, when he clambered onstage to deflect easy questions about the World Cup and England's future, failed to pipe up with a 'can I just say, the reason I got a contract at the FA was down to the passion and class of the squad at Middlesbrough Football Club. I wish Gareth the best of luck there this season' Of course he wouldn't say that...
So we were ignored, and this time it really hurt me. What with the current form of the side, it starts to make me doubt if last season's UEFA cup exploits ever happened at all. I mean sure, I can watch my DVDs of the two comebacks and even - if I'm feeling really sadistic - watch the final highlights on Youtube, but it's never mentioned anymore by anyone, except us!
It gets me down.
I see the forthcoming games as vital game for the future of this football club. The departure of Steve Round has removed the last shred of the staid, cautious McClaren-era from the senior management staff and now gives Southgate the chance to do what HE wants.
Southgate's pre-season interviews spoke of attacking football and what we have seen so far this season is so far away from that. Because of this, and Southgate's recent comments that he and Round actually had a difference of opinion, can we consider that Round may have been telling the players one thing and Southgate another?
I'm unsure, but it's fair to say that without Round, Boro may (pardon the pun) find an attacking edge they've been missing. After so many years of caution, and with a stack of quality centre-halves, I think it's time we saw a bit more abandon from the midfield and attack. Throw caution to the wind, cast off your shackles and let's see some class. Please.
As mentioned on this site's forum, the departure of Round certainly makes the suggestion that Martin O'Neill didn't come to the club due to wanting his own backroom staff involved look like a lame excuse. I personally think that Steve Gibson may have always wanted Southgate to lead his next generation of local boys all along.
I will end this month's column with a little talk about the forthcoming transfer window. It seems there will be something of a car boot sale at the Riverside, with a lot of second-hand, used models being flogged for bargain prices.
My personal hope is that the following players, who are unceremoniously clogging the arteries of the wage-bill, are shown the way to go:
Ray Parlour: What has he ever done? Ever?
Gaizka Mendieta: Honest servant but way past his best. Always like the fact it was well-known that he had the best taste in music in the Premiership
Ugo Ehiogu: Again, past his best and injury-prone. Looks made to play out his last days in the Championship.
Massimo Maccarone: Controversial choice, but a departure may lead to a younger model with a more quality than our beloved Mass.
The person I will be sad to see go is Fabio Rochemback. In my short time writing on the site, I've always been an advocate of the quality he possesses. It's a shame he looks destined to be heading through the out-door to Sporting, as he is one of the most gifted footballers we have at the club.
Unfortunately, he just hasn't been deployed in a way that best suits him. I remember his impressive showing on his debut against Arsenal showed his class, while against Basle in the comeback his passing ran the show. Despite his persistent fouling, I will miss his occasional moments of class, even more so now because of the Boat's awful form.
Oh well, we'll just have to see that Southgate has in mind come January. With a relegation battle looming, he'll have to make the right moves.
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