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Deep in my heart...
Tottenham v Middlesbrough, August 20th 2005, White Hart Lane
James Keen
The Daily Mirror saluted Tottenham's opening day 2-0 victory over Portsmouth with the headline "Defoe and Spurs are ready for BIG things now". Is a 2-0 victory against one of the most impotent sides in the Premiership really worth a headline like that?
Admittedly, Tottenham are a decent side, but they've always been a decent side. Sadly for Spurs they've not managed to achieve greatness for quite a while and with every new season comes a new ray of optimism and a new hope. Yet come May they're always talking ifs and buts. Much like our very own Boro.
If you're looking for two sides matched in ability, ambition and frustration then look no further than Middlesbrough and Tottenham.
Indeed, this fixture, although only match day two, is a six pointer. Both sides trying to prove that they have what it takes to reach the heady heights of the top five, or perhaps even challenge the top four. And of course desperate not to lose any ground on each other.
After Boro's goalless lacklustre draw with Liverpool on the opening day, they'll be looking to bounce back brightly at a ground that has been kind to them over the years.
Barring the 2-0 reverse last year after Franck's sending off, Boro have lived quite a charmed life in front of the White Hart Lane faithful. Our record is four wins, four draws and two defeats in all meetings between the two sides in the last five seasons.
Who can forget the day a Hamilton Ricard inspired Boro romped to a 3-0 victory at The Lane, prompting comparisons of our Hamilton with none other than Dennis Bergkamp... everyone makes a mistake I suppose!
Tottenham have started the season with a few key injuries, so maybe we shouldn't really be too harsh on them for not stuffing the Yakless Pompey. They missed Robbie Keane, who probably would have been a sub anyway, Ledley King, Noah Pamarot and of course Edgar Davids.
Davids, Tottenham's reason to be cheerful this summer picked up a knock in training and is therefore still rated a doubt for the clash with the Boro. If he does make his debut at The Lane, I'm sure we'll see an interesting clash developing between Edgar and George, and I'm sure that the old hatred of the Spurs will push Ray Parlour into a personal vendetta against the boys in white. You never know, we may even see his first goal in Boro colours.
The man Boro really have to fear though is the inimitable Jermaine Defoe. A livewire, a clinical finisher, a dedicated goalscorer, a true star. The only way Boro will be able to tame Spur's very own little fella is to cut off his supply line.
The balls will be coming from the boot of Carrick no doubt, and the portly Andy Reid will be trying his best to squeeze the ball into Jermaine.
For Boro though we have to look at where the creativity is going to come. Stewart Downing looks about ready to burst his own bubble and crash back down to earth. Gaizka is obviously a little off the pace and the Boro forwards seem to spend most of their waking hours on the half way line.
Many have called for James Morrison's inclusion against Spurs and should he get his chance he will undoubtedly give his all. But is he the man we need? With the ongoing Rudolphe Douala transfer saga and the possible signing of the highly talented Fabio Rochemback we are yet to see a signing that will strengthen our midfield. But should Macca complete this double deal Boro will be a true force in the Premiership.
McClaren's choice of strikers against Liverpool was an obvious one. He was always going to pair the summer's biggest signing with oine of his other two star names. But Mark Viduka's lively appearance - albeit only for 5 minutes until Ugo got sent off- showed McClaren and the Boro faithful why he should be included.
Viduka will be pushing for a starting berth, with Jimmy probably stepping aside. Hasselbaink didn't look quite ready on Saturday and his game doesn't really compliment Yakubu's yet. Viduka will benefit more from Yak's marauding runs through the channels.
Both sides should remain fairly unchanged, if you take the Sevilla bound Kanoute out of the equation and unless of course there are recoveries from injury.
And after Boro's 0-0 with the European Champions McClaren may be loath to change the side at all. But there is definitely something missing.
My head is telling me to expect another drab 0-0 this week, but my heart is telling me a drab 1-0 to the Boro could be possible. Either way it'll probably be drab.
FORM: Middlesbrough WDDWDD - Tottenham DLWLDW
Tottenham probable: Robinson, Stalteri, Dawson, Gardner, Edman, Routledge, Tainio, Carrick, Reid, Mido, Defoe
Boro probable: Schwarzer, Reiziger, Queudrue, Southgate, Riggott, Boateng, Parlour, Mendieta, Downing, Yakubu, Viduka
Injury doubts: Ledley King, Noah Pamarot, Robbie Keane, Edgar Davids (Spurs), Chris Riggott, Malcolm Christie, Szilard Nemeth (Boro)
Suspensions: Emmanuel Pogatetz, Ugo Ehiogu (Boro)
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