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CHARLTON v MIDDLESBROUGH - BOATENG OUT TO END AWAY DAY BLUES
Middlesbrough captain George Boateng hopes to take a leaf out of Liverpool's book to end the club's wait for an away win.
The Teessiders travel to struggling Charlton on Saturday without a victory on the road since Lee Cattermole's lone strike handed them all three points at Manchester City on April 2 last year.
That is a run of 17 matches in all competitions, not including last season's FA Cup semi-final and UEFA Cup final defeats on neutral grounds, and 11 during the current Premiership campaign.
However, Boateng is hoping his side's hard work and patience will be rewarded in just the same way as the Merseysiders' was when their wait for an away league victory this season ended at the eighth attempt with a 4-0 trouncing of Wigan on December 2.
He said: "Charlton are fighting for their lives but the pressure is on them because they are playing at home.
"They have a lot of problems, not many fit players and they are not gelling well and playing well together.
"I thought about our away record before the Hull game and I was hoping we could win to start a new page.
"But it was the same with Liverpool. People were talking about their away record for so many weeks and then finally when they did win, they won in style.
"I think it might be the case with us and with these recent performances, I am very hopeful for going to Charlton.
"We have had our worst period, so everything is going to be a lot better from now on."
Boro should have ended their wait in the FA Cup third round at Hull last weekend, only for the Coca-Cola Championship side to level after the Teessiders had squandered a host of chances.
However, they have lost just one of their last five games in all competitions and a return of seven points from the last 12 on offer has eased their fears of being dragged into the relegation fight.
That said, Boateng knows the six-point gap separating his side from West Ham in 18th place could soon be closed if they do not maintain the momentum.
He is convinced the three points are there for the taking this weekend if Boro play to their potential, although he is wary of the danger which could be posed by former team-mate and close friend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink if he gets a chance to lock horns with his former club.
Boateng said: "I am still in touch with Jimmy and spoke to him recently.
"He is a good guy, he is honest and he knows when we play well, the chances are that we will win the match at Charlton.
"Jimmy is thinking of how his team can get back to winning ways and that is important for him.
"If he plays, he obviously does not want to lose the game with his old team, so there will be an extra edge for him.
"But it is okay. Whether he plays or not, we know his game very well. We are just going there to win the match."
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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