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WARNOCK WEEKLY 12-9-07
Tom Warnock
After watching a stylish, quick, and fluent Boro performance against Birmingham, it was a chance for Boro fans to see exactly what tactical prowess their team lost out on when England squared up with the mighty Israel.
There was of course the consolation that our very own Stewie Downing would start the game after his inspired form and two goals so far this season. This was the assumption at least, however the reality was that England's best left sided player (according to the Opta Index) was forced to sit and watch and endure a chaffed backside on Wembley's leather seats instead.
Surely if anyone knows the ability of Downing, it's the man who brought him into the Middlesbrough starting line-up week in, week out. Or is this McClaren acknowledging that what's good enough for Middlesbrough's best eleven, just isn't up to his superior standards? Now in theory, I shouldn't be moaning because England won the game - although this should never have been in doubt - but this isn't an England website now is it.
It's bitterly disappointing because we all know that Stew deserves his chance, and if he can't make it into the line-up against Israel, then God knows what he must do to prove his worth to his nation.
The quick solution would be to sign for Manchester United or perhaps slip something into Joe Cole's coffee on Wednesday morning. It does baffle me how players like Gareth Barry and Phil Neville can make it into the side and Stew doesn't get a look in. It's up to him to keep playing good football and working hard, as we all know he will do.
We were all treated to a glimpse of our newest signings today, Mohamed Shawky and Gary O'Neil. Gary had some nice things to say about the club and let's hope his talking on the pitch is just as nice. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in our side this Saturday.
Question is, will Southgate make changes? It was the perfect team performance in our last game, so there's little case for anyone to be dropped. If it was me, I would consider dropping Rochemback; nothing against him, but if O'Neil is to figure, then it would mean pushing George back into the centre, and I believe Arca is the better of himself and Rocky.
Also, it's going to be a tough game so we need more grit in the middle and George will bring this. I hope Gareth doesn't revert to one up front as he did in the first half at Fulham. We won that game on the second half performance because we went for it. West Ham's defence isn't the best and with our strikers in good form we need to allow them the chance to show they can do it away from home.
One issue on many fans' minds is the situation of Tuncay. He was brought in as one of our big signings, with a massive reputation where he played. However it seems as though Gareth favours a front two of Mido and Aliadiere, and with O'Neil a right sided player, this seems to leave Tuncay with nowhere to go.
Looking at his game since he joined the club, he would seem best suited to a position behind a forward pairing. But I'm unsure whether Gareth would be prepared to go that attacking in any game, let alone away from home. It would be a shame if Tuncay's talents need to wait to be unleashed simply because he is neither an out and out striker or a midfielder; this is one instance where flexibility can work against an individual.
In order to keep momentum going we need a result at Upton Park. It's always hard to call when we face the Hammers, and a point would be a good result. But after the Birmingham game confidence will be high and I'm backing the lads to push for all three, which would set us up very nicely indeed to batter the Mackems at home.
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