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KARL WATSON'S BIG MOUTH - SEASON PREVIEW 1-8-08
Karl Watson
It’s been a very long time since I have sat with a laptop on my knee and wrote to my heart’s content about one of my real passions in life – Middlesbrough Football Club.
Thankfully, we are at that time of year again when we can break open the packet of the latest MFC home jersey, look forward to the fixtures and once again take that walk under the Albert Bridge to take our seats at the Riverside.
Nothing can quite beat that smell of the burger van, the huge queues at MFC Retail and the banter that commences at the concourse area of the stadium. It’s that time once again and I cannot wait.
At least it has not been a bad summer for Boro. Let’s face it, it could have been so much worse.
Luton’s thirty point deduction puts our eleventh successive Premiership season into perspective.
Not only this but at least our players haven’t been used as ‘slaves’ in what has become such an amazing market of footballing talent.
I felt we handled ourselves well as a club this summer. We distanced ourselves from the pure fabrication that comes out of the national newspapers on a daily basis.
Although I couldn’t help but read the papers and lick my lips in excitement, it was good to see Gareth come out and not sit on the fence like in previous seasons under previous regimes.
It was also nice to see that Southgate was not held to ransom with transfer fees from various clubs who wanted more for a player than what they were worth. PSG spring to mind.
I felt Gareth and the club kept the fans well informed during the summer and some of the comments that came from the club were very encouraging.
However can these really be taken seriously?
I would love to think that this time next year we will be planning for another European adventure.
However, my only worry is that the club is promising too much. Of course we would all love to venture into the Champions League one day but I understand how this could be MANY years away.
Yet if we do not improve in the short term, I do not see how our long term objectives can be met.
In order for us to finish in a European place, we will have to leapfrog a number of very strong sides in the Premier League.
Last season, I often compared us to West Ham. This was because the Hammers finished a comfortable tenth last season – spending most of the season in that position – and I felt they did it with ease.
They won games at home that they would expect to win and their foundations away from home were based around a solid defence that kept a number of clean sheets.
I look at their side and I wonder whether we have the ability to go to a side like West Ham and get something. Let’s not forget that they did the double over us last year.
If we are to realistically finish tenth or higher, we have a significant amount of work to do and a vast number of changes must be made.
We finally saw what Southgate meant when he wanted to bring an attacking style of football to the Riverside when we inflicted what may be Sven Goran Eriksson’s last game in English domestic football.
However, are we able to maintain this on a regular basis and does our current crop of players have the physical and mental abilities to play well for thirty-eight games?
It begs the question, are our new signings able to take us to the next level and what do we know about the new young internationals who are rated so highly?
Dider Digard comes with a good reputation. You know when someone like Harry Redknapp is after a foreigner then he must be a good prospect.
Obviously young and talented, it is clear Digard will not be our top scoring midfielder next season and is more likely to fill George Boateng’s shoes in that defensive holding role.
We are all intrigued to see what this kid can do. I feel Gareth has done very well with his foreign purchases and it was clear that Digard was Southgate’s main transfer target.
Obviously it is too early to say how good he is and how good he can be, but we all hope he settles in well and enjoys his football at MFC.
The price we bought him for was very fair and he doesn’t have the added pressure on his shoulders that a hefty price tag like Alves’ can bring. A good prospect and a good signing.
Marvin Emnes is a signing that seemed completely out of the blue and done in a very short time. However, I have heard rumours this kid is extremely quick.
So far, he has had a good run out in pre-season training but I would only expect him to feature as a substitute up until Christmas at the very earliest. He has a very difficult job to do in order to keep the likes of Tuncay, Aliadiere, and Mido out of the squad.
However, if he was to prove himself as a good striking partner for Alves, then we would have a very quick attack that could run defenders ragged.
Again, a good prospect and I look forward to see what he can do. Let’s hope he’s not another Gook!
However what about our other ‘new signings’ - those who featured very little last season due to injury or lack of match fitness?
If Robert Huth is fully fit, he has to play. He formed a formidable partnership with David Wheater last season and with those two at the heart of our defence, we would make teams play on the floor as they can deal with anything in the air.
Mido is the one player I am most looking forward to see. The reason being that I want to see this supposed two stone weight loss.
Before the pubic bone injury he sustained in last year’s Tees-Wear derby and his extreme weight gain, Mido was the one player who stood out. He wasn’t just scoring goals but he linked up so well with everyone else.
If he is fully fit, he could form a very good relationship with Alves. However his fitness will always remain in question after last season.
So, what do I think our best team is?
Ross Turnbull – I think Ross should be given a chance. We saw some good things from him in some big games last season and I feel he could become a very good goalkeeper.
Luke Young – Had a fantastic season last year and maybe didn’t receive the credit he deserved. Very reliable and comfortable on the ball, a must to start.
David Wheater – After last season, he cannot be left out. Simple as that.
Robert Huth – A powerhouse and very good defender. Gives us another option at set pieces.
Emanuel Pogatetz – Although he would prefer to be at centre back, I feel he can’t be left out and is more than capable of playing at left back.
Tuncay – Although he did well in his first season and scored a respectable amount of goals, after seeing him play at Euro 2008, I feel his natural position is as a right sided midfielder with the ability to roam around the midfield.
Didier Digard – Although an unknown quantity, he has been bought for a reason and is obviously a player who can improve the side.
Julio Arca – A fantastic player and someone we cannot do without. His flair is something we need and he has really proved himself under Southgate’s leadership.
Stewart Downing – There is no way Stewy can be left out and it was a relief that he has stayed with us for another season.
Afonso Alves – After six goals in seven games at the back end of last season and a £13m price tag, he has got to play.
Jeremie Aliadiere – Despite not being an out-and-out centre forward, his pace and ability worries defenders and he links up with Alves well. We need his pace.
However, one of my main worries this season is the chance for Academy players to be promoted to the first team.
Adam Johnson is a very good example. He has waited long enough and it is clear that as long as Downing remains at the club, Johnson will not play.
Johnson clearly is a talented player and if he cannot break into the first team regularly this season I do not see who will.
I cannot see a forward from the Academy breaking through. I do, however, envisage a central midfielder or full back perhaps playing a few games.
However, if we are serious about breaking the top ten next season then maybe we cannot take chances on the Academy. I don’t feel it’s a coincidence that many of the British sides playing in Europe are full of foreign players.
It’s going to be an interesting season. I personally do not think we can break the top ten this campaign as I just don’t think we have bridged the gap between us and the likes of Pompey, Villa or West Ham.
Let’s hope this is a season that is filled full of kept promises, not broken ones.
BACK TO THE KARL WATSON'S BIG MOUTH INDEX
CREDIT CRUNCH RELIEF - A GUARANTEED PROFIT OF AT LEAST £43.60 ON MANCHESTER CITY v ARSENAL
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