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BORO v ASTON VILLA - BRIGGSY'S VIEW
We went into the Villa game with an air of confidence around the place. The game gave us the perfect opportunity to turn our devastating season around and move up the table to where we belong. But in fact the opposite happened and we went right back to square one.
After a slow start it was Villa who took the initiative after eighteen minutes when Luke Moore shot past Mark Schwarzer from ten yards. Five minutes later and it 2-0! A left wing cross from Milner was headed towards goal by Phillips, who got in front of his marker Pogo. It took thirty minutes for us test Stuart Taylor with a weak effort from Mendy, but it was hardly anything to get excited about. Five minutes later a cross from Downing was headed goal bound by Cattermole only for the keeper to pluck the ball from under the bar.
Half time came and we couldn't have any complaints about the score because we were second best. The only positives from the first half were the display from Mendy, who I thought played very well and the fighting spirit of seventeen year-old Lee Cattermole was a pleasure to watch. I couldn't help but think how had we managed to be 2-0 down at half time again. Hadn't we learned from our mistakes in the Wigan game? Despite the result, I was quietly confident we could come back again, but how wrong I was.
Mac changed the poor Hasselbaink and Viduka for Yakubu and Massimo, a change which was long overdue in my book. Viduka hasn't done anything for a long time and should be ashamed to take home his wages.
It was Villa who were quicker off the mark and it could and should have been 3-0 when Phillips shot wide from five yards. It would have been harder to miss that chance. Bad went to worse on sixty-one minutes when Luke Moore slotted the ball home from eight yards on the second opportunity. The game was well and truly but beyond doubt three minutes later when a through ball from Steve Davis gave Luke Moore the perfect opportunity to get his hat-trick, which he did, calmly slotting the ball past Mark Schwarzer.
What was going on? Our defence was all over the place. Anyone with pace and physical presence will have a field day against our defence and the team for that matter. It spoke volumes that a seventeen year-old lad had to attempt to gee up the players. The poor lad was in tears at the end. If only our senior players showed an ounce of his passion, we wouldn't be in the position we find ourselves in.
I myself felt my eyes water up at 4-0. It was embarrassing and it was painful to watch us get battered the way we did. The frustration on the stands was evident when a fan ran onto the pitch and threw his season ticket in the direction of the dugout. I could clearly understand his frustration, but I don't think that's the best way to go about showing anger at the current situation we find ourselves in.
We are going through a horrendous season so far and we need to all pull together and get this season out of the way and put behind us. Staying in the Premier League is absolutely vital to this club. I can understand 99% of people being extremely frustrated at McClaren but we have to remember that he has progressed us each season and we have actually qualified for Europe twice, something which we haven't tasted before. He has also given us our highest league finish and brought that first elusive piece of silverware.
More so Steve Gibson, who has backed Steve McClaren to the hilt. Even after yesterday's game he pleaded for the Boro fans to get behind the club and the manager because we are all in this together. Some of our senior players attitude can be questioned but I'm sure that will be addressed at the end of the season.
McClaren has proved he can do the business which is why I am personally willing to give him another season. After what has become a transitional season, he has deserved a new contract, contrary to what the masses believe. Everton finished in a high league place last season - seventh. Then they finished one place above relegation the following season and then finished fourth the season after. Football is a strange game.
We need everyone to stick together now- we're in a battle. One thing I have prided myself on is the battling spirit of the Middlesbrough support and we need that right now. Also we need players on the pitch who want to play for the club. We need to get rid of those players who clearly haven't got the heart for a battle. They have let this club down this season.
I can envisage big changes in the summer, start afresh and build on the foundations we have set, Riggott, Queudrue, McMahon, Downing, Morrison, Cattermole, Morrison, Yakubu all provide us with the prospect of a very bright future.
Keep the faith.
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