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MIDDLESBROUGH v BRISTOL CITY - SOUTHGATE PROMISES TO SHOW RESPECT
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has insisted Bristol City will again be treated with the utmost respect in their FA Cup fourth round replay at the Riverside Stadium tonight.
First-half goals from Yakubu and Malcolm Christie had given Boro a comfortable 2-0 lead at half-time in the first meeting at Ashton Gate.
But Boro were then hit by a second half backlash from the Coca-Cola League One side, who levelled through Richard Keogh and Scott Murray, and might even have gone on to win it.
With home advantage, Boro are highly fancied to overcome the Robins at the second attempt, but Southgate is taking nothing for granted.
He said: "Bristol City showed great spirit at Ashton Gate and it was not the first time they had hit back from a couple of goals down this season.
"They had not lost at home in ever so many games and so we had a pretty good idea what to expect.
"We went there intending to play our game but Bristol City put us under a lot of pressure in the second half."
Bristol City have failed to win any of their three league games since that cup tie, with Lee Johnson's late leveller against Huddersfield on Saturday the only goal they have scored in those games.
Southgate added: "Obviously Bristol City haven't had the best of results since we played them but they are involved in other cup matches and it is a hectic time for them.
"Any side of Gary Johnson's is going to be difficult to play against and we will give them the greatest of respect again tomorrow.
"This is a no lose game for them and so we have to respect them and prepare for another tough game.
"But we have home advantage and it's a game we should expect to win. We have to do everything it takes to make sure we do win."
Boro hardly warmed up in style by going down 3-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The defeat also ended Boro's eight-match unbeaten run and Southgate said: "We are disappointed not to have taken anything from the game though we know we lost to the better team on the day. Now we have to try to start another run.
"I don't think that confidence will be affected too badly, because we went to Chelsea to do ourselves justice and we know we did that, even if we did not play as well as we can.
"We still have a great team spirit and the players have been excellent for me. I expect them to play in the same manner tonight."
Southgate will again be without Jonathan Woodgate, who was conspicuous by his absence at Stamford Bridge.
The on-loan Real Madrid defender suffered from tightness in his hamstring, and the problem is not sufficiently cleared for Woodgate to play tomorrow.
Southgate said: "I think Woody will be all right by the weekend, but it's not worth taking a risk with his fitness. I don't want to try to rush him back and then find he misses the next five or six games."
Southgate may stick with his central defensive partnership of Abel Xavier and Emanuel Pogatetz, though he added that there could be one or two changes to his line-up.
He said: "I do like to stick with a settled side whenever possible but we have one or two players feeling knocks after Chelsea, like Julio Arca, and I do need to have a look at them tomorrow before finalising the team."
Midfielder Arca, who went over on an ankle at Chelsea, faces a late fitness test.
Boro will definitely be without South Korean striker Dong-Gook Lee, who was not signed in time to be registered for the first meeting between the two teams at Ashton Gate in January.
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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