A WAY THROUGH THIS
MIDDLESBROUGH v SHEFFIELD UNITED
Jonathan Way; 7 Aug 2009
The Fight Begins...
As Middlesbrough look for a quick return to the Premier League.
After the huge disappointment of last season, Boro fans seem optimistic for the coming campaign and are hoping for a repeat of our promotion form from the 1997-98 season.
Having suffered not as many departures as first expected, we go into this season with a team of real quality and high expectations.
Column Continues Below...
Danny Coyne v Paddy Kenny
The Welsh international completed a free transfer from Tranmere Rovers in early July to become one of our first signings of the Summer. With bags of experience and recording 20 clean sheets last season, Brad Jones is going to be pushed all the way this campaign for the first team spot.
Kenny has remained the Blades' number one goalkeeper for the past seven years, making over 250 club appearances in the process. Having played every minute of United's promotion season to the Premier League in 2005-06, Blackwell will see the 31-year-old as a vital player if his team are to have any hopes of promotion this time around.
David Wheater v Chris Morgan
Since announcing he will remain at the club, the young centre-back has recovered from his keyhole surgery in time for Friday's big game. Wheater, who scored in last season's opener at the Riverside, will certainly be one of Boro's key players this campaign.
The fiery number five has been involved in quite a number of incidents over the past few years, most notably striking Robin van Persie in the chest during a league game with the Gunners in late 2006. Being the club's most dismissed player of all-time, it shouldn't be too difficult for the Boro players to wind up Morgan during Friday's match.
Mark Yeates v Nick Montgomery
Yeates became Southgate's first summer signing in late June as the winger signed a three year contract for £500,000. Having impressed in pre-season, hopefully the 24-year-old will be the solution to our right-sided problem in midfield.
Despite being linked to a move to Middlesbrough for £400,000 in pre-season, Montgomery signed a new four year contract with Sheffield United shortly after impressing in the Championship play-off final defeat to Burnley. Having come through the youth ranks at Bramall Lane, hopefully the midfielder has finally put his recent injuries behind him.
Tuncay Sanli v Darius Henderson
With Gareth Southgate confirming there have been no formal bids for the Turkish international yet, Tuncay remains available for the visit of Sheffield United. Even though Gareth is still unsure over his fitness, starting last season's player of the season would definitely be a good move as Tuncay always puts in 100% effort.
Henderson was signed for £2million last summer amid high expectations following his impressive spell with the Hornets. Disappointingly only netting six goals in the last campaign, the passionate striker will be aiming for a lot more goals this season. He will certainly be one of the Blades' biggest threats at the Riverside.
It is absolutely vital that we get ourselves off to a flying start on Friday.
The Blades pose a big test for us as they will surely be one of our promotion rivals this season.
Following our great results in pre-season, Boro now have to produce the same kind of results in the league.
I think this will be a close game between two of the top sides in the division. With us kicking off at home and having the backing of thousands of Boro fans behind us, I think we will get off to the best possible start with a 2-1 victory to get our promotion campaign off and running.
