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ALI'S BIG MATCH PREVIEW - MIDDLESBROUGH v NEWCASTLE 24-8-07
Alastair Brownlee
The season has only just begun but there is a feeling that the three home fixtures in just six days next week represents a real opportunity for Boro to stamp their mark of intent on the new campaign.
Six Premier League points are up for grabs with the derby showdown with Newcastle and then the arrival of Birmingham City.
Sandwiched in between is the Carling Cup tie with Northampton and whilst it represents a chance to take the first step on the road to Wembley, Gareth will be determined not to repeat the mistakes of last season when Notts County pulled off a Riverside shock.
The mood of optimism has undoubtedly been helped by the first win of the season and the journey back from Fulham was a happy one.
The win did have an element of good fortune and the assistant referee, Ian Gosling, who failed to spot that David Healy's late effort had crossed the line will have a flag free weekend as a result of his error.
What's not in doubt is that Boro put in a much-improved display from the abject ninety minutes at Wigan and in Mido we might have found a new hero.
At just twenty-four, the Egyptian international is not much older than many of the Boro youngsters who have made their way through the academy system but he has a presence about him that makes everyone sit up and take notice.
In the dressing room before the match he went across to Stewart Downing and told Stewy that in his opinion the winger was the best at crossing the ball in the Premier League and that he would score many goals from his quality delivery.
Even when substituted late on Mido cheered the team on from the dug out and was delighted at the full time whistle. The first impressions are clearly very positive.
Strikers have been the main talking point this week as the failure of Yakubu to report for training on Monday and Tuesday made similar headlines in the local papers to the disappearing acts of Emerson in 1996.
There was, inevitably, only one outcome and the sizeable profit made on his transfer to Everton should enable Gareth to strengthen his squad before the end of the month with a forward who at least has his heart in the club.
The substitution of the Nigerian international just after the hour mark at Wigan represented his final moments in a Boro shirt and his body language throughout the match indicated that his mind was elsewhere.
No doubt his goals will be missed but he does have barren spells in a season and his final Premier League goal for Boro was scored on February 24 against Reading.
Nevertheless, the transfer of Yakubu means that Boro are now without the services of their top scorers of last season, Yakubu scored twelve league goals in thirty-six starts and Mark Viduka hit fourteen league goals in twenty-two starts, the next top scorer managed only two goals.
The main question is can the new strike force of Aliadiere, Mido, and Tuncay with possibly another addition replace the goal power of Viduka and Yakubu?
The answer will do much to decide Boro's fortunes this season.
Mark Viduka is back at the Riverside on Sunday with Newcastle for the big derby showdown. The Duke scored some terrific goals for Boro, especially in the run to the UEFA Cup final, and in terms of ability he is one of the best strikers I have commentated on but, like every Boro fan, I would dearly love to see him on the losing side on Sunday.
I would imagine that he is going to receive a hot reception from supporters who are still unhappy that he took so long in making up his mind about his future and then put pen to paper to sign for the magpies.
The task of keeping Viduka quiet could fall to David Wheater who has impressed everyone with the way he has taken his chance to prove he can cope with playing at the top level.
Wheater also made his England under-21 debut this week and looked very assured against Romania.
I had a chat with Colin Cooper about the twenty year old from Redcar as Coops had a similar start to his playing career when he passed with distinction from "The Class of 86", but as Colin rightly pointed out that was in what is now league two and Wheater is being tested in the Premier League.
On radio I had mentioned that Wheater reminded me of Tony Mowbray however Coops disagreed, thinking that if we were to make a comparison with 1986 then Wheater is closer to Gary Pallister.
Wheater has a laid back approach to life that is similar to Pally but on the pitch he shows many of his qualities. Coops did agree that if Wheater goes on to have a similar career then he will do very well indeed!
Derby games are always special so naturally I asked Coops for his favourite. The choice was the 4-1 win on May 5 1990 as Boro avoided relegation and at the same time stopped Newcastle going up. It was certainly ninety minutes to savour as two goals each from Bernie and Ian Baird wrapped up a great win.
You can let Bernie and I know your favourite victory over the Geordies by giving a call to Simply Red on Sunday between 11am and 1pm on Century FM. Our number is 08450 021100 or you can text 85102.
Special guests on the show will include Jan Fjortoft and Bernie's old boss Lennie Lawrence. We will also have Sunday lunch for two at the Bluebell Hotel in Acklam to give away. Also, thanks to the Hill Street Shopping Centre in the Boro who have given a pair of executive tickets for Boro against Birmingham.
It should be just the thing to get you in the mood to lift the roof off the Riverside and take three points off the Geordies!!!!
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