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MAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2005 PART II
James Bassett
Welcome to the concluding part of the 2005 ComeOnBoro.com Man Of The Year Awards. If you haven't already enjoyed the countdown from ten to six, you can do so here.
2005 MAN OF THE YEAR PART I
These awards are not for goal scoring, badge kissing or saying the right things in interviews. They are for commitment, hard work and passion for Middlesbrough Football Club. With that in mind, listed below are the five men who have done more than anyone else to transform Boro from mid-table also-rans into a competitive Uefa Cup entrant.
5. Chris Riggott
Boro's most improved.
Certainly the most improved player in the Boro squad, Riggott went from letting a ball slip under his foot to allow Craig Bellamy to score for Newcastle in the first game of 2004/2005 to become an imposing centre-half with outstanding performances against Tottenham, West Brom and Arsenal at the tail-end of last season.
Riggott is positionally sound, tackles solidly but invariably fairly and, besides Queudrue, he's probably the best headerer of the ball at the club. Obviously, these are all key attributes for a centre half, but Riggott has also proven useful at the other end. While he's yet to register on the score sheet this season, he grabbed two goals at the tail-end of the 2004-2005. His equaliser against Charlton may have been overshadowed by Danny Graham's brave debut goal, but it was an important strike for Boro nonetheless. He also scored a late goal against Sporting Lisbon, which, sadly, proved to be no more than a consolation as Boro crashed out of the Uefa Cup.
Injury might have tempered his season so far, but two brilliant performances against Chelsea and Liverpool, which unfairly ended in defeat and a red card, show that he's now back to full fitness. Whether he's played as part of a central back three with Southgate and Queudrue, or in a pair with the captain, he's coped admirably. In fact, he makes the art of defending look rather effortless without ever veering into lackadaisical Rio Ferdinand-esque territory.
It appears that a catalogue of injuries has sent Ugo Ehiogu into a terminal decline and McClaren has made the right decision by allowing Riggott to become part of his first choice defence. When it comes to naming McClaren's most prudent signings, Riggott - who came to club for around £2million - must surely rank among them and, at 25, the former Derby man appears to be a defender with no obvious limitations.
4. Mark Schwarzer
Middlesbrough's shoot-out hero.
Even the writers of Roy of the Rovers would have baulked at the idea of submitting the events of 15th May 2005 to paper. Too unrealistic, they'd probably have deemed it. Sky's cameras may have followed the humiliating exit of Norwich from the Premiership and West Brom's improbable escape from relegation may have stolen Monday's headlines, but in the City of Manchester stadium even more excitement had taken place at 4:57pm.
Despite being forced to defend for much of the first half, Boro had taken the lead via a stunning Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink freekick and had clung on until the 75 minute when Kiki Musampa equalised for Stuart Pearce's side. In the interim, and much to the annoyance of John Macken, Psycho Pearce had brought on Nicky Weaver and moved David James into a centre forward position. It was a barmy decision and while Calamity James looked like a fish out of water, he was causing uncertainty in the Boro defence.
With Boro hanging on desperately, a 92nd minute Kiki Musampa cross bounced up and caught Franck Queudrue on the hand. Referee Rob Styles harshly pointed to the spot and Robbie Fowler stepped up to take the penalty in what was essentially now a one-on-one contest between Schwarzer and Fowler to determine whose team would make it into Europe. Fowler went left and so did Schwarzer, the ball was tipped round the post and Boro had achieved European football for the second time in their history. Schwarzer's save was so important I'll completely neglect to mention his nightmare afternoon at White Hart Lane in September. Oh.
3. Franck Queudrue
On his way out?
What Franck did to upset Steve McClaren, no one can be sure. But having been an ever-present at left-back for Middlesbrough since his 2001 move from Lens - apart from when serving a suspension, obviously - Queudrue has found himself playing at centre-back and left-midfield primarily this season, or, to the annoyances of his legions of admirers, not playing at all.
Granted, Queudrue is not without his flaws. While often ascribed to over-enthusiasm rather than malice, his disciplinary record is poor. However, McClaren stuck by Queudrue when he was sent off three times in the 2002/2003 season. Furthermore, if discipline was his main concern, it would seem unlikely that McClaren would replace Queudrue with a player who had received a 24 weeks ban for twice breaking another player's leg.
In addition, Queudrue does seem to possess a degree of bad luck. It was Franck's hand that Kiki Musampa's cross hit, it was Franck who scored an unfortunate own goal against Crystal Palace and it was Franck who nodded on Jamie Carragher's aimless pass into the path of Fernando Morientes this past Saturday. But McClaren doesn't strike me as the sort of guy who is influenced by matters of spirituality and karma.
Perhaps there is truth to the rumours that Queudrue has expressed an interest in a move to Liverpool or perhaps McClaren has had one of the changes of heart that saw him shunt Juninho aside after attempting to build a team around him just two years earlier. Either way, McClaren's track record suggests that he finds no room for sentimentality when it comes moving on fan favourites.
McClaren's incessant tactic-switching this season has been unkind to the Frenchman, who looks at his most assured when playing in a standard 4-4-2. When paired on the left-flank with Bolo Zenden or Stuart Downing, Queudrue was able to intermittently raid forward and deliver some excellent crosses, all the while afforded the necessary cover to make this possible. Now, when playing as a wing back or as part of a central defensive trio, or with the likes of Rochemback or Nemeth ahead of him, Queudrue has been isolated and forced into making what would be otherwise uncharacteristic errors.
With his future under McClaren uncertain and the rumours about a January transfer escalating, this could easily be the last appearance in these lists for ComeOnBoro.com's reigning Player of the Season. I think I speak for the majority of Boro fans when I pray that it isn't.
2. Gareth Southgate
Steve McClaren's replacement?
Even in the supposed twilight of his career, 35-year-old Gareth Southgate continues to be one of Boro's most consistent and popular players. Not just a superior centre back, Southgate is highly principled and would rather do the right thing, no matter the cost to himself. Southgate is the kind of man who turned down the chance to meet Nelson Mandela so that he could properly prepare to play in a friendly for England (he scored the opening goal).
He was then dumped out of the England squad prematurely for voicing his opinion about Sven Goran Eriksson perceived lack of tactical fluidity. And is it any coincidence that so many of England's 'world class' defensive talents have been on the wane without the father figure of Southgate in the squad? He's also the kind of man who spurned the chance to write a lucrative autobiography and instead shared the book with his best friend, Andy Woodman of Rushden & Diamonds, so that the League Two player could earn a few extra quid.
Is there a more honourable and honest footballer in England? Sometimes it doesn't seem like. Quick to address any perceived failings at the club (he called upon the board to sort out McClaren's new contract, not out of a feat of brown nosing but because he felt the club would struggle to attract players when the managerial position was uncertain) but never resorting to the 'all my team-mates are rubbish' hoo-hah that saw Roy Keane thrown out of Old Trafford. Southgate is the perfect club captain and not just with his team mates, he also extends the fans the courtesy of always being the last man to leave the field.
In the last twelve months, Southgate has, once again, been one of Boro's most impressive performers and continues to be an inspiration to the club's host of young defenders. Tony McMahon was not just paying the Boro captain lip service when he said, "He's the one I look up to and want to follow." Not satisfied with that, Southgate has added rousing team talks to his repertoire (according to Steve Round, Southgate gave a stirring pre-match talk before Boro's Carling Cup victory over Crystal Palace).
It's imperative not just to the immediate success of Middlesbrough Football Club but to the development of Tony McMahon, Andrew Davies, Stuart Parnaby, Matthew Bates, Chris Riggott and, hell, even Stuart Downing, James Morrison and Yakubu that Southgate remains at the club for the longest time possible. With McClaren having just signed a new four year contract extension, what odds on Gareth Southgate becoming the next Middlesbrough manager?
AND THE WINNER OF THE 2005 ComeOnBoro.com MAN OF THE YEAR IS............
1. George Boateng
Always believe it.
If there was ever any doubt about the importance of George Boateng to Middlesbrough Football Club, the period between December 2004 and April 2005 proved that the Dutchman is no less than absolutely invaluable to Boro.
A knee injury sustained in training (where else?) after a 3-0 win against Aston Villa put Boateng out for four months and Boro entered a horrific run that saw them nearly lose out on a Uefa Cup place. Steve McClaren's team were humiliated by Birmingham on Boxing Day, threw points away in injury time against Norwich, were beaten by Portsmouth and utterly embarrassed by soon-to-be relegated Southampton. All while Boateng was away.
He came back and the difference was immeasurable and immediate. A hard-fought win against Crystal Palace was followed by a narrow and undeserved defeat to Arsenal but Boro had found the steel they'd dearly missed. West Brom were then swept aside and creditable points at St. James' and Anfield were gained before Boateng scored an incredibly important goal against Spurs.
This season, Boateng has been an almost ever-present (McClaren chose to rest him against FC Dnipro and Litex Lovech) and Boro's most dependable player. He began the season playing alongside Ray Parlour, but has since played alongside Doriva, James Morrison, Gaizka Mendieta and Fabio Rochemback in the Boro engine room and not once has his concentration or form wandered.
It's testament to Boateng's versatility, that, while his best performances to date had been when playing alongside Boudewijn Zenden, he's managed to continue his form with a different set of midfield partners. In fact, Boateng has looked even more dynamic this season. He grabbed the first goal of this season's Uefa Cup campaign with a strike against FC Xanthi and his man of the match performance against Aston Villa was rewarded with a place on the scoresheet.
Now, I certainly don't want to do their scouting for them, but while Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger continue to attempt replace the talismanic pair of Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira with substandard players like Kleberson, Mathieu Flamini and Eric Djemba Djemba, one of the best ball-winning central midfielders in Europe plies his trade right under their noses.
George isn't the first hard-working and talented Dutch midfielder to sit atop this prestigious list but it's heartening to know that he appears to realise that hard work and determination are better routes in the Dutch national squad than sitting on the bench of the European Champions. Sign a new contact, though, George. Please..
THE 2004 MAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS
BACK TO AWARDS INDEX
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