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MIDDLESBROUGH v PORTSMOUTH - SOUTHGATE LOOKS TO BREAK HOODOO
Gareth Southgate aims to add another string to his bow days after Middlesbrough's first victory under the former England defender when they beat champions Chelsea.
Portsmouth are tonight's visitors to the Riverside but they are regarded by fans as Boro's bogey team as the north east club have beaten them just once in the Premiership.
New manager Southgate said: "People keep telling me that Portsmouth have a hoodoo over us. I don't know about that. We drew with them here last season, and we did the season before that.
"I know we haven't got a good record at Fratton Park, but we are at home tonight and we want to try to record another win at the Riverside.
"Maybe expectations are too high when we play Portsmouth. The bottom line is that the match will be just as difficult as the one against Chelsea last week.
"You can't expect to coast through and take three points against anybody. But if we display the same attitude we did against Chelsea, then we can beat anybody on our own ground."
Southgate is relishing the prospect of pitting his wits against Pompey boss Harry Redknapp.
He said: "Harry has done a fantastic job twice now for Portsmouth. They had a great finish to last season. They looked dead and buried when he went back, and to escape from that position they were in was phenomenal.
"Since then he has had the opportunity to build in the summer. So Portsmouth will come to our ground full of confidence. It's up to us to play well enough to take that confidence away from them."
Southgate expects to finalise the loan for Middlesbrough-born Woodgate today and the 26-year-old injury-ravaged defender could make his debut at Arsenal on September 9.
Tonight's game marks goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer's 300th league appearance for Boro.
The Australian international was signed by former boss Bryan Robson from Bradford City for £1.2million in 1997 and is now in his 11th season with the Teesside club.
Southgate said: "He is undoubtedly one of the top keepers in the league. He's a keeper who gives defenders confidence. He's not one for standing on his line and seeing what happens. He comes out and commands an area where some other goalkeepers fear to tread.
"I know there was talk of him leaving last January, and I must admit, as a player, I did talk to him and try to talk him into staying.
"Mark had his reasons for wanting to leave, and I suppose I was a bit selfish in asking him to stay. But the situation calmed down and all the players were delighted he has stayed."
Southgate is expected to bring back Schwarzer's Australian colleague, Mark Viduka, possibly at the exclusion of young defender Andrew Davies, and revert to a 4-4-2 formation.
Davies had a storming game for the first hour in last week's win against Chelsea but Southgate made it clear he will not be forgetting the club's talented youngsters this season.
He said: "Andrew Davies and Andrew Taylor were excellent against Chelsea and I'm delighted they have carried on where they left off last season. Their contributions were just as important as those of anyone else.
"We've also got Lee Cattermole fit again and he is another who is important to us. I know the rapport he has with the crowd."
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
PORTSMOUTH FANS WELCOME IN THE NEW HOLGATE MESSAGE BOARD
BORO v PORTSMOUTH MATCH PROGRAMME INDEX
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