A WAY THROUGH THIS
MIDDLESBROUGH v DERBY COUNTY
Jonathan Way, 20 Oct 2009
Letting us down.
The 1-0 defeat to Watford at the weekend put another dent in Boro's promotion hopes. With no goals and no points in our last three home games, Tuesday night's fixture against Derby is a crucial game and realistically a must win if Southgate is to keep his job.
Despite aiming for a much better finish this season, Nigel Clough's side currently sit in 17th, one place higher than where they finished last time. Claiming only two points away from home so far, Derby will still come to the Riverside with confidence after seeing our result on Saturday.
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Tony McMahon v Shaun Barker
Arguably Middlesbrough's man of the match against Watford, McMahon will be looking to record our first home clean sheet for nearly two months. Still looking for his first goal for the club with his attacking style, McMahon will remain a key part of our side throughout the campaign.
Joining Clough's side in the summer from Blackpool, the defender has had a steady start to life at Pride Park, with one goal already to his name. After an average display against Leicester at the weekend, Barker will be aiming to make a much bigger impact on Teesside on Tuesday.
David Wheater v Dean Moxey
The Redcar Rock will have been disappointed with conceding the Hornets' simple goal at the weekend. Desperate for a win on Tuesday night, Wheater will no doubt put in 100%. He will surely retain his place in the side, despite Poggy returning from injury.
The Rams' left-back has made a big impact since his arrival from Exeter, starting every game so far this campaign. Having made some important displays in his career, Moxey will be hoping that he can have another by helping his team to their first away win of the season.
Adam Johnson v Robbie Savage
The Boro playmaker had one of his lesser performances against Watford but there was definitely no lack of effort or commitment from Johnno. Hopefully Gareth will play the England Under-21 international wide throughout this game, as Adam goes in search of his first home goal of the season.
One of the most popular pantomime villains in football made his 50th appearance for Derby on Saturday against his former club, Leicester City. Recently becoming club captain, the former Welsh international will no doubt be tough opposition in the middle of the park.
Jeremie Aliadiere v Rob Hulse
Southgate will have a tough decision to make concerning who starts up front after Aliadiere gave Boro fans an unconvincing display against Watford. Without a goal in five games, we really need our number 10 to step up his game if we are to defeat Derby.
Boro's main transfer target of the summer has already proven how big a hit he would have been on Teesside, with three goals and several impressive performances so far. The Rams' Player of the Year for last season will no doubt show us what we could have had when he visits the Riverside.
We have to put the weekend's result behind us and concentrate wholly on this critical game. Both sides will feel this is a good fixture to get a result from and both will certainly be giving their all for victory.
This match will undoubtedly be a tough one to call but I think Middlesbrough will turn Saturday around by scraping past Derby 1-0.
