|
 |
ALASTAIR BROWNLEE'S TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v BORO MATCH PREVIEW 11-4-08
ORDER YOUR COPY OF ALI'S NEW BOOK 'VOICE OF THE BORO' RIGHT HERE - NO LOG IN REQUIRED
ORDER MARK SCHWARZER'S BOOK HERE
The standard was set against Manchester United. The maintenance of that level of performance for the rest of the season is the demand from Gareth Southgate as the players prepare for Saturday's trip to Spurs.
Three points from White Hart Lane could mathematically ensure Premier League survival but after picking up a great point at Arsenal, pushing Chelsea close at Stamford Bridge and then nearly throwing Sir Alex’s title charge into disarray, the aim has to be to ensure that next season the team finds the consistency to fight for a European place.
After picking up the Carling Cup at Wembley in February, Spurs have hit some highs, with the classic 4-4 draw with Chelsea an example of their ability to produce wonderful attacking football, but at the same time they have also hit the depths, as was illustrated by their 4-1 humiliation inflicted by Newcastle United last time out at the Lane.
Juande Ramos will be desperate for his side to recover some pride in front of their own fans so the Magpies' victory may well have made Boro's task more difficult.
A win for Boro would narrow the gap to just two points between themselves and Spurs, so there is a big incentive to bring back the points from north London.
It will be the first time that the clubs have met since Jonathan Woodgate's transfer in January. Woodgate performed terrifically for Boro last season and was, rightly, made player of the year.
Unfortunately, for whatever reason, he was not quite the same this season and the dramatic impact made by David Wheater probably made it an easier decision to let Woodgate go to Spurs.
One of the fascinating comparisons on Saturday could be how the respective centre halves try to tame the menace of the opposition strikers - with Wheater facing Berbatov and Woodgate coming up against Alves.
Alves was terrific against Manchester United and his composed finishes gave a glimpse of the talent that should thrill the Boro fans and terrorise opposition defences next season.
The expectation placed on Boro's record signing was always going to be huge and, after failing to hit the net in his early appearances, some were starting to wonder if the step up from facing defenders in Holland to those in the Premier League might prove too much.
Alves, however, never lost faith in his ability and to score twice against the meanest defence in England underlined the Brazilian's goal scoring talent.
In terms of great goals, the 1-1 draw between Boro and Spurs at the Riverside back in November produced a strong candidate for goal of the season, albeit from an unlikely source.
Luke Young’s fantastic strike that left Paul Robinson clutching at thin air as the ball flew high into the top of the net, is one of the campaign's memorable moments but it is his defensive skills not his goal scoring ability that regularly catches the eye.
As a former Spurs defender, Young will relish the return to White Hart Lane and might send yet another message to Fabio Capello that he should be considered for the role as England right back.
Young put in a five star display against Manchester United and his first half challenge on Wayne Rooney that stopped the United danger man as he was about to score and in the process double the visitors advantage, was a classic example of a defender on top of his game.
Another huge plus from the Manchester United encounter was the return of Julio Arca, who played his first ninety minutes for a month.
It has been a tough time for the midfielder who seemed to be hit particularly hard by the FA Cup exit and the staff have worked hard to rebuild Julio’s confidence, together with reinforcing just how important he is to the team.
In the early part of the campaign Arca was the heartbeat of the side and the most creative player. In the games that remain, the hope is that he will build on the United display to find once more the high standards that he has set himself.
Looking back over memorable trips to Spurs, the clash on 28 September 2002 sticks out for the sheer quality of the Boro performance as they destroyed the home side 3-0.
Massimo Maccarone, Geremi and Joseph Job were the goal scorers and if Boro had doubled their margin of victory, not even the most dedicated Spurs fans could have complained.
At the time, first team coach Steve Harrison hailed the win as the best away display he had witnessed in twenty years, it really was that good.
Bernie and I will be back on Simply Red this Sunday to react, fingers crossed, to a great win at Spurs.
Special guests will include David Armstrong and the former Boro and Bolton full back Jimmy Phillips, as we start to preview the visit of the Wanderers to the Riverside.
There will be all the usual features, including a chance to win Sunday lunch for two at the Bluebell Hotel, Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, and the opportunity to win a pair of tickets courtesy of  Ladbrokes to see the Boro take on Bolton.
So why not join in the fun by giving us a call on 08450021100 or text 85102.
Up the Boro!
ORDER YOUR COPY OF ALI'S NEW BOOK 'VOICE OF THE BORO' RIGHT HERE - NO LOG-IN REQUIRED
ORDER MARK SCHWARZER'S BOOK HERE
RETURN TO ALASTAIR BROWNLEE INDEX PAGE HERE
|
|
|
|
