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THE VIEW FROM THE SOUTH - FLEEING THE FLOOD ON NOAH'S ARCA 15-8-08
Mohammed Shaffaf
I’m not the worrying type.
As a Boro fan, and I’m sure all those reading this will agree, I’ve become accustomed to not fearing the worst because our team seems to spring into action when you least expect it.
As such, there is no real way of telling which Boro side will turn up and it has been this way over the last few seasons.
Therefore, it shocks me to tell you that I am worried.
My initial excitement and anticipation over the coming campaign has been slowly transformed into a feeling of anxiety.
This emotion began forming at the time of Arca’s injury and the subsequent sale of Luke Young merely magnified it.
I hope it is a short term thing but even as I write this, my fingers are trembling in apprehension over the prospect of facing a Tottenham side that looks a real threat going forward.
It really shouldn’t be this way. I’ve never been bothered about a Boro game involving the top four, let alone Tottenham. And it's usually the games against Wigan and the sort where we are almost guaranteed to slip up.
But I AM bothered and I can’t help it. Nor can I help but feel partially responsible for Arca’s injury, as if I ‘jinxed it’ by writing about how imperative his presence in the centre of midfield will be in my last article.
And it isn’t just the fact that Arca is out, nor is it that Tottenham will be brimming with confidence after their recent thumping of Roma 5-0. No, it’s because our squad is starting to look thinner than a size zero model, one that would think Kate Moss is overweight.
The depth of the Boro squad is comprised of a large chunk of seventeen to twenty-one year olds, several of whom have had no Premiership experience whatsoever.
It’s not that I disagree with the sale of Luke Young for £6million but now the only players with any experience are a Brazilian striker who is still finding his feet in this League, an Egyptian striker who sulks better than he performs, a creative midfielder who’s out for another month, an Austrian emotional psychopath who happens to be our captain and Stewart Downing.
And who are we linked with to replace Luke Young? Justin Hoyte? Tut, tut. He wouldn't be a bad signing but he wouldn't be a good one either.
I wouldn’t put him ahead of Tony McMahon and it’s not like he has any age or experience to bring to the side.
And where, oh where, is the creative midfielder we so desperately need?
Maybe I was wrong earlier. Perhaps my anxieties are actually quite long term. In the immediate future however, we need to focus on this Tottenham game.
They’ve flirted with several formations, including a diamond with Modric and Bentley in the centre, ahead of Huddlestone. This has allowed Dos Santos to slot in behind Berbatov and Bent, who have averaged two goals a game in pre-season.
I doubt Juande Ramos will be so bold as to use this formation at the Riverside, particularly as it would suit our tendency to use the flanks. Even as a flat 4-4-2 though, we need to stick someone on Modric. Digard, Shawky, anyone.
Berbatov is a major threat but tight man-marking may cause more problems than his unequivocal brilliance ever could.
With regards to the Boro strikeforce, Afonso Alves needs to step up to the plate as we will need him to exploit some of the defensive frailties Spurs had last season. The problem is that with a really good keeper in Heurelho Gomes, this may be difficult to achieve.
Stewart Downing will be even more essential than usual now that Arca is out. Generally, I would like to see Downing pushed into a more central role in the event of a future absence from Arca. This would allow Johnson to take his place down the left flank.
However, with the danger that Tottenham possess in midfield, it may not be the time to experiment with this.
My first team for Saturday would be: Turnbull, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, McMahon, Digard, Shawky, Downing, Tuncay, Alves, Mido.
We should play a flat 4-4-2, with the potential to bring on Aliadiere, Emnes and Johnson should we need to.
My Prediction: I think the best we can hope for is a score draw, maybe 1-1. However, I have a bad feeling it will be 2-1 to Spurs.
Like I said earlier though, you never know which Boro side will turn up and I can only wish for the best. Because come Saturday, there could be a flood and Noah’s Arca isn’t ready yet.
BACK TO THE VIEW FROM THE SOUTH INDEX
CREDIT CRUNCH RELIEF - A GUARANTEED PROFIT OF AT LEAST £43.60 ON MANCHESTER CITY v ARSENAL
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