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DEEP IN MY HEART 1-9-07
Middlesbrough vs. Birmingham City, 1st September 2007, The Riverside Stadium
James Keen
We go into the match against Birmingham on the back of a three-game unbeaten run, which only five games into the new season isn't too bad.
It's been an unspectacular start, but after a very shaky opening we've settled down and even avoided the banana skin of a midweek home Carling Cup tie against a League One side. And that was despite six first team regulars being rested.
The game against Northampton won't have much baring on the side that will face Birmingham, or indeed on the confidence of the players (Rochemback and Lee excepted). It did, however, give a few players another opportunity to increase match sharpness.
Against Newcastle we picked a side packed full of talent and forward impetus. And as much as some Boro fans were unhappy with the selection of George Boateng as a wide midfielder, I thought that it was a masterstroke against the Skunks.
The selection of Boateng, Arca and Rochemback gave us the opportunity to use a very fluid and interchangeable midfield, with Boateng sliding into a midfield three when we pressed forward. This allowed Downing and Aliadiere to push wide and leave Mido pressing the Newcastle backline. When defending it made us look compact and robust. Difficult to break down on the face of it.
Admittedly both Newcastle goals came from their left, Boateng's side, but I think this is a mere teething problem. Plus let's face it, you can't really account for a twenty-yard screamer and The Duke out-muscling Jonno at the back.
So a fledgling system but one with potential. Perhaps the system was born out of necessity rather than planning, but given time it could be a highly effective formation.
And so on to the Blues of Birmingham, and the homecoming of Stuart 'Deadeye' Parnaby. Oh how we quake in our boots!
In football you always fear players coming back to their former stomping grounds and banging in a goal. But should we really fear this former player? I think not. Nab's record for the Boro wasn't all that, and I doubt it will improve much whilst playing left back for Brum.
Birmingham do have several danger-men though, in the form of Forssell, Kapo, McSheffrey and, if he starts, Jerome.
Forssell's quality is undeniable. He has suffered terribly with injuries but has always maintained a superb level of form in the few games he has played. And once he gets going this season he will be a great asset for Birmingham.
Gary McSheffrey and Cameron Jerome are good Championship players, and will score the occasional goal in the Premiership. Both scored their first goals of the season this week, McSheffrey in the Carling Cup and Jerome in the 2-1 win at Derby, so they will be full of confidence and looking to add to their tally at the Riverside.
But, let's not get carried away with Birmingham. If we focus on Boro and our abilities then we should feel confident of seeing off the challenge from the Midlands.
Birmingham are level on points with us, but Boro should look at sides like Birmingham, newly promoted of course, as sides that we must take maximum points from, especially at home. And if Mido, Rochemback, Downing and Aliadiere are on good form we should be too quick and skilful for Brum's backline.
True, Birmingham have strengthened their defence with some good Premiership players. Liam Ridgewell is an excellent signing, and of course the injured Franck Queudrue will add balance. In the long run I think they will be safe this season but until they get up to speed we need to take advantage and ensure they are given a torrid time.
I am a little disappointed that Tuncay Sanli has been demoted to sub already. Although he will need a period of settling in, I think he shows promise and will be a great acquisition once he gets up to speed in the Premiership. He will be behind Aliadiere for a start, if Boro think Jeremie has recovered sufficiently from his clash with Taylor on Sunday.
This being said, I fully expect Boro to field an unchanged side from Sunday, with the arrival of Mohammed Shawkey coming too late in the day for his consideration in the side. I believe that the side that was unlucky to pick up just the one point against the Pandas will be too strong for Birmingham.
Before I make my predication for this weekend I'd like to give my backing to the comments made this week by Jeff Winter. What he said obviously stung the Tyneside masses, and hopefully will mean that next time a section of their fans decide to berate a player for their race, religion or creed, there will be swift retribution, not from the FA, not from their own club or opposition, and not from a former Premier League referee, but from their own set of supporters.
I do not for one minute believe that racism is more prevalent in Newcastle than anywhere else in the UK, but what happened on Sunday was unacceptable. In reaction to the incident, the majority of Newcastle fans say that it was the minority who could be heard, but it's up to the majority to put a stop to it.
Racism can and should not be tolerated in any way.
Kick it out!
Saturday's outcome: My heart and head are fairly well matched this week, heart is telling me 3-1 and head is saying 2-1, either way it's three points staying in the North East.
Last Time We Met at the Riverside (Birmingham newly promoted): Middlesbrough 1-0 Birmingham (4/3/06) Viduka 45
Boro Form (most recent result first): WDWLLW
Birmingham Form: WWLDLL
Probable Teams:
Boro: Schwarzer, Young, Taylor, Woodgate, Wheater, Arca, Boateng, Rochemback, Aliadiere, Downing, Mido
Birmingham City: Taylor, Parnaby, Jaidi, Ridgewell, Kelly, Kapo, Muamba, Djourou, McSheffrey, Forssell, Jerome.
Man to Watch: Mikael Forssell
RETURN TO DEEP IN MY HEART INDEX HERE
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