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DEEP IN MY HEART
Middlesbrough vs. Sheffield United, 27th February 2008, Riverside Stadium, FA Cup Fifth Round Replay
James Keen
I start this week's preview with an outburst, an angry lash at those in charge of the beautiful game in this country and those who have their heads so far cemented up their own backsides that they genuinely believe that their own faeces smells of roses.
Boro have been deprived of the improving Jeremie Aliadiere for four games, one more than originally banned, because of our "frivolous" appeal!
Frivolous?!
Is it frivolous to believe that the widespread media are learned enough to adjudge that Jezza’s red card was a tad harsh?
Is it frivolous to believe that the normally anti-Boro Mark Lawrenson was fair in his assessment that either both or neither of Jez and Mascherano should have been sent off?
Boro were right to appeal and the FA is wrong to punish us and Jeremie for it.
Admittedly, what Jeremie did was stupid, especially as he was on a yellow card. I also admit that he should’ve been sent off for a second bookable offence. But his ban should’ve been for three games as opposed to one, in accordance with the rule.
And by upholding the ban, they should then give Mascherano a retrospective red card and he should be given a three game ban. Sadly, it is against the rules to do this.
But no. Once again the little club gets done up the proverbial rear and the big gun gets away scot free. It riles me, it really does.
And so we go into the game with Sheffield United missing two key players - Aliadiere and Wheater.
Even without the pairing we should still progress, but it unsettles us a little more than I’d have liked going into such an important game.
With a last eight tie against Cardiff beckoning, both sides will be going for it. And Boro could have done with Aliadiere’s pace to get in behind the Blades' backline.
One man's loss is another's gain and Jezza’s suspension will pave the way for Alves or Mido to start alongside Tuncay.
I have confidence that this frontline will be good enough to beat Sheffield United but I am still enraged by the FA extending the ban.
Anyway, this weekend Sheffield United extended their run of draws to a staggering 756. Or six. Close enough.
United have lost the winning touch but at the same time they have become difficult to beat.
They will come to the Riverside with an almost fully fit squad. This means that Ugo Ehiogu could make a return against us, adding extra spice and flavour to proceedings.
Boro should still win but it’s going to be a tough old night down by the Tees and United will play with a freedom because they have nothing to lose.
The Boro, however, have everything to lose.
This could be the most important game of our season but it will be a good test of how far we have come. It will hopefully see us battle off the challenge of the lower division side and come away with a couple of goals to our name.
Ideally those goals will come from Mido and Alves, two players in need of hitting the net and getting their confidence back.
For once we have options up top and none of them include Dong Gook Lee. Magic!
We must be cautious and be on our guard. However, we still should win and win fairly well.
This is especially the case when considering Kevin Blackwell’s declaration that United will win the FA Cup and then mount a ‘serious’ challenge in Europe.
I think Kev should be banned for such a frivolous comment.
The Red Army will be out in force to cheer the Boro on and I’m sure they will make enough of a difference to spur us past United and into the last eight.
It must be a positive result and I’m happy that it will be, so long as we keep Beattie quiet.
The Outcome: My heart tells me to expect a cracker and a 4-1 win to Boro. My head says that we’ll come through but we will be living on our nerves, ending in a 2-1 victory.
Last season (Premier League): Middlesbrough 3-1 Sheffield United, Viduka 36, Yakubu 69, 7(pen), Jagielka 45(pen), (1/1/07)
Boro Form (most recent result first): LDWDWW
Sheffield United Form: DDDDDD
Probable Teams:
Boro: Schwarzer, Young, Grounds, Pogatetz, Huth, O’Neil, Arca, Rochemback, Downing, Tuncay, Mido
Sheffield United: Kenny, Naysmith, Morgan, Killgallon, Geary, Speed, Quinn, Martin, Beattie, Shelton, Stead
Man to Watch: Gary Speed
RETURN TO DEEP IN MY HEART INDEX HERE
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