A WAY THROUGH THIS
MIDDLESBROUGH v WATFORD
Jonathan Way, 15 Oct 2009
Keeping it up.
Is what Boro need to do against the Hornets, after an impressive 2-0 away win at Reading two weeks ago. Having gone into the international break with our first win in four, hopefully Gareth will have been able to solve our home problems in time for Saturday's must win game.
After finishing in a disappointing 13th place last campaign, Watford fans will have been hoping for a much better start this time around. With only three wins so far, new manager Malky Mackay will be doing everything to avoid a repeat of their 4-0 drubbing by Cardiff in their previous fixture.
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Brad Jones v Scott Loach
Following making his third appearance of the season, Jones will have been thrilled to secure his first clean sheet of the campaign. Making a couple of fine saves at the Madejski Stadium, I don't see our number one being replaced by Danny Coyne any time soon.
After showing some outstanding form for Watford last season, Loach earned himself a call-up to the England Under-21 squad for the first time in his career. Since being named man of the match against Plymouth, the 21-year-old has gone on to concede 11 goals in the last four games.
Sean St Ledger v Adrian Mariappa
The Irishman scored his second goal in four starts for Boro against Reading, which secured us all three points. Looking a formidable force at the back with Wheater, St Ledger will have been gutted with giving away such a late goal against Italy after heading his side in front with just three minutes remaining.
The highly rated defender recently signed a new two year deal at Vicarage Road, where he has made over 100 appearances for the Yellow Army. Having recently played as skipper, Mariappa will certainly play a vital part in determining where Watford will finish this season.
Gary O'Neil v Tom Cleverley
Another brilliant performance from our highly influential midfielder proved once again how essential he is to us if we are to gain promotion at the first time of asking. Hopefully O'Neil will remain at his best to help us finally clinch our first home win in over a month.
The Manchester United midfielder joined the Hornets on loan in the summer and has made a terrific impact in Mackay's side. With four goals in nine appearances, Cleverley is definitely one dangerous player Boro will have to watch out for at the Riverside.
Leroy Lita v Danny Graham
Our number nine showed just how much of a threat he can be against Reading a fortnight ago, where he scored his second, and he believes third, goal for the club. Hopefully Southgate will start Lita again this weekend and we will see a repeat of the skill and technique that wrapped up the points at the Madejski.
Since leaving Middlesbrough in 2007, Graham has enjoyed impressive spells at both Carlisle and presently Watford, where he has already scored six goals this campaign. Despite only scoring once for Boro, you just know what's going to happen when he starts against his old club.
If Gareth is to silence any of his critics and we are to have any chance of promotion, we will have to win our next two games because it seems to be at home where we have most of our problems.
Watford have gained more than half of their points away from home this season, so it's clear this won't be a walk in the park for Boro. However, I think we will start to turn around our recent home form by beating the Hornets 2-1.
