A WAY THROUGH THIS
BRISTOL CITY v MIDDLESBROUGH
Jonathan Way; 28 Aug 2009
After being knocked out of the Carling Cup.
Boro have to fully focus on the league after the disappointing 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night. Despite being 1-0 up at half time, Middlesbrough couldn't prevent conceding their first two goals of the season, leaving them with a tough game against Bristol City next up.
The Robins started this campaign brightly, taking seven points from their opening three matches but were brought back down to earth on Sunday with a 3-0 defeat to Cardiff. Going into his fifth season as the City manager, Gary Johnson will certainly have been frustrated with his side's midweek cup defeat at the hands of Carlisle.
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Jamie McAllister v David Wheater
After spending the first 10 years of his playing career in Scotland, the left sided player moved to Ashton Gate in 2006 and immediately helped them gain promotion to the Championship. McAllister will be hoping to put in a much better performance on Saturday following his substitution straight after half time.
Following the sad departure of Huth to Stoke, it will be interesting to see if Wheater can keep up his displays with his new, unknown defensive partner. Despite repeated speculation over the future of the Redcar born player, it is very pleasing to hear him consistently say that he is happy and wants to stay at the Riverside.
Liam Fontaine v Andrew Taylor
Since following his manager to Bristol City, Fontaine has become an established centre back with the Robins making over 100 league appearances for the club. After helping to keep three clean sheets, the 23 year old will be unhappy with the five goals conceded in their previous two games.
With the possibility of Williams or Hines taking up the vacant centre back role, it looks like we may see Taylor come back into the side and start more games. After making his first start of the campaign against Nottingham Forest in midweek, hopefully the Boro number three will start his first league game of the season on Saturday.
Lee Johnson v Adam Johnson
After undergoing an awful six month spell at Hearts, the number eight was saved by his Dad, Gary, who brought him to Bristol where he played a major role in last season's promotion bid. Following his first league start of the campaign on Sunday, Johnson will be hoping he did enough in midweek to retain his place in the City midfield.
Since Downing's move to Aston Villa, Johno has taken definitely taken his chance to show us what he is capable of, netting four goals already for us. I really hope we can hold onto the 22 year old as he is probably our biggest key to get us back into the Premiership.
Danny Haynes v Jeremie Aliadiere
The young striker moved from Ipswich in the summer but has yet to make an impact for his new team. After being sent off in his second game and still looking for his first goal, it seems Haynes is going to have to work really hard to get into the good books of the Bristol City supporters.
After being out of the side with a hamstring problem, Aliadiere made his first start since the opening day of the season on Tuesday night with one of his less impressive displays. With Tuncay now gone, we really need the Frenchman to step up his game and score us the goals we need starting at Ashton Gate.
It was certainly disappointing to see Huth and Tuncay go, especially after seeing how influential they have been to the successful start of our campaign. It is now up to Gareth and the chairman to bring in the right players that we desperately need if we are to keep our promotion push on track.
Following the cup defeat and knowing Boro, I don't think we will bounce straight back this weekend. Unfortunately I can see us only managing a 1-1 draw against a tricky Bristol City side who will definitely be one of our promotion rivals this season.
