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THE SIMON
FALLAHA COLUMN - FROM GETTING THE JEERS IN, TO GETTING THE BEERS IN 31-10-08
Simon Fallaha
“For a moment he looked out then he cursed aloud, one harsh obscenity.”
Casino Royale - Ian Fleming
What with James Bond being the talk of the world at the moment (well, you’re all going to see it – aren’t you?), I felt fit to include the above quotation in this article. For that was my own reaction when we conceded deep into injury time at the Stadium Of Light last season to prolong our relegation fears.
And I had almost the same reaction when we conceded right at the death at Ewood.
Column continues below...
But note that I said “almost" because this time, I was almost resigned to it happening.
Steven Gerrard, Michael Chopra, Rob Huth (into his own net), Jermain Defoe… they’ve all undone us with late goals. And every week Gareth seems to come up with the same old excuses; “We’re still learning”, “Bad luck" etc.
Hang on, I’ll stop there. The way we conceded McCarthy’s goal didn’t ring as bad luck, but as bad defending. No-one picked McCarthy up (McClaren’s old “zonal” tactics were in use again, I see) and there was a lack of alertness at the back which really has been all too evident this season.
Commentators last year, such as The Guardian’s Louise Taylor, pointed out that our style of play under Southgate is very like Arsenal’s. In other words, attack was the best form of defence.
That’s certainly true enough as on the evidence of Wednesday’s 4-4 thriller, the Gunners have even gained our propensity for conceding late goals!
They also have a tendency not to finish off games when we’re on top (like we can). But because their standard of players is far higher - not to mention their standard of support - they can get away with it far more often.
Southgate knows this and hence has gone a little more back to basics in the last two games, occasionally reverting to dour tactics.
Both our goals from open play in the last two games have come from long balls or break away moves and we’ve been under the cosh for long spells.
With Turnbull in such terrific form at the minute, it’s not too much of a concern – yet – but he won’t be able to save us forever.
What we need to do is to retain possession for longer periods than we are presently doing. I understand that this is hard for us as the midfield is currently very weak (and it’s being made even weaker now that Shawky has picked up a serious injury), but it’s nothing that a bit of work can’t solve.
* * * * *
And yet, while the old flaws sadly still haven’t been all ironed out, it has been wonderful to bounce back from the Chelsea mauling in the way that we have! Again, I kind of knew it would happen (remember our reactions to the Cardiff disaster and the Villa mauling last season?), but still, it’s nice.
Now all we have to do is maintain this standard as favourites, which we will be when we face West Ham. It's easier said than done, I know, but we can do it.
I’ll finish with a list of the positives:
- The return of Tuncay. It really is incredible what belief and dynamism he brings to the team. If only half the squad had his engine! Writers on this site like Craig Smithson have been right to point out that we rely too much on him, so will opposition sides now attempt to break his legs? That’s the only catch. Still, you’ve seen how much of a difference Ronaldo makes to United, so we’re hardly alone in that respect.
- Alves re-discovering his goal touch. Okay, he hasn’t done much else, but we bought him to score goals, so let’s hope he can maintain this “run”. And it’s good that we’ve allowed him to take the penalties, although why didn’t we do that sooner? That way, Stewie’s confidence may not be so low…
- Arca’s brief cameo on Wednesday. Apparently he hit three great passes.
- Aliadiere. His workrate during these last two games has been phenomenal. He’s got used to playing on the right side of midfield and made that position his own. A far cry from the “passenger” I saw against WBA in September.
- Gary O’Neil finally getting his first goal for us. Well deserved after more than a year of trying and hard work without any real end product. My reaction to the goal was to get another beer at the bar I was in at the time… hence the title of this article!
- Turnbull. Of course.
Now why couldn’t I have gone to the City game instead of the WBA one?
‘Til next time.
Si
Simon Fallaha, Editor, Northern Ireland Middlesbrough
Supporters' Club Website
BACK TO THE SIMON
FALLAHA COLUMN INDEX
A GUARANTEED PROFIT OF AT LEAST £41.19 ON MIDDLESBROUGH v SUNDERLAND
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