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THE BEAT GOES ON 6-3-07
Rob Dixon
You'll remember (but I'll forgive you if you don't) that last month I hoped my happiness with Boro's current form remained the next time I wrote for the site.
Well, it's hard to believe. but it has. What a peculiarly solid proposition we suddenly are. With only one loss this year (and that was against Chelski), Boro have continued where they left off in February. Progress in the cup, twinned with some convincing league form, has meant the confidence in the squad remains intact - perfect considering the next game on the fixture list.
I was even convinced that we'd get three points at St James Park at the weekend, but I admit now the endeavours of the midweek replay against WBA obviously took their toll on the side. Watching MOTD on Saturday, it became clear the point against the Geordies was one gained, not two lost.
Add to that a rare clean sheet, and I think we've all happily accepted the result - although I was convinced that our prolific front pairing would get goals from a defence featuring a central pairing of Graham Gooch and the league's worst defender since Boumsong departed - Titus Bramble.
But onwards and upwards. What's the point in looking back when the future looks promising? The next three Premiership games include two more-than-winnable home games against relegated Watford and free-falling Manchester City, plus a tough but probably rewarding tie at Upton Park. I couldn't think of three better games I'd rather have at the moment. As long as the side stays focused, we should be able to invade the top half of the table in the next crucial month of the season.
Apart from the league, of course there is the forthcoming FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United. While few would give us a hope of turning them over on Saturday, there are some reasons to be optimistic about our chances.
We all know we have a good record against this team, and it is not easy to erase the memories of last season's 4-1 mauling. Plus, with Scholes suspended and (hopefully) Rooney out with a bad knee, the danger of the side is realistically cut down to one man: Cristiano Ronaldo. The boy is undoubtedly the best player in Britain at the moment, but every player can be contained.
Another interesting matter to note is United's current form. In their past two league games, they have shown the luck of champions to come away with wins in games they didn't deserve anything from. While this is ideal for their title charge, it shows that their form isn't at its awe-inspiring best right now. Plus, a potentially energy-sapping game against tricky Champions League opponents Lille could take something out of them. If Boro head out on the Riverside pitch in the right frame of mind on Saturday, anything is possible.
One issue that won't be in doubt on Saturday, as long as no new injuries worries appear, is Boro's starting XI. The only tinkering we see from Southgate these days is his choice of right-back and the occasional opportunity for James Morrison to stretch his very capable legs down the right wing. Apart from that, we have had a settled side since the turn of the year and it's not surprising to see how results can pick up when you settle on a formula.
The current set-up is bringing the best out of the back four and keeper, as well as the midfielders in front of them. Arca looks stronger and more creative with every game, while Boateng has edged back to become a stronger proposition than he was in the first half of the season. Of course, no discussion of Boro's upturn in fortune can take place without some mention of Yakubu and Viduka.
They are the envy of every mid-table side at the moment and are now rightly regarded as the best strike pairing outside of the top four sides. Their movement, touch and finishing has been phenomenal since the turn of the year and we have fully benefited from all of their quality. How many other strikers would have had the guile and awareness to attempt a back-heel in the position that the Duke was in against Reading? Plus, the pure blockbusting power of the Yak's finish against the same side warranted its inclusion in MOTD's goal of the month for February. My only wish is that this pairing is not broken up at the end of this season.
I don't think fans of other sides realise how important Viduka is to our team. His hold-up play, vision and ability to bring other players into the game are vital to the way our side plays. Why hasn't he been offered everything possible to keep him at the club? Seriously, the club should be offering the man anything he wants and not stalling in the manner they have over the past six months. I'm not the first (and won't be the last) person to say this, but get your finger out Mr Lamb, Mr Gibson and Mr Gareth. We need this wonderful player now more than ever.
In recent weeks we have seen one of the more unorthodox attempts to persuade Vids to stay, with Alastair Griffin writing one of the more peculiar tributes to a footballer that I've ever heard. His reworking of Leonard Cohen's masterpiece is undoubtedly cheesy, but it is also strangely moving too. The ex-Fame Academy star has come in from some stick from me already in my brief tenure as a writer for this website (see my very first posting in the archive), but he's redeemed himself rather well with this song.
Now if only he'd change that wholly unrealistic 'Boateng flick' line before it's made available for charity...
Until next time
NOW HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE NEW HOLGATE FORUM
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