A WAY THROUGH THIS
MIDDLESBROUGH v CARDIFF CITY
Jonathan Way, 13 Dec 2009
Shocking.
After our fantastic win over QPR at the weekend, Boro came crashing back down to earth with a 3-0 home defeat to Blackpool. Having won just five games in 14 months at the Riverside, Gordon Strachan needs to quickly find the solution to this awful form, hopefully in time for the huge clash with Cardiff on Sunday.
The only other team in the top half to have lost seven matches along with Middlesbrough are Cardiff City. After losing grip of their play-off place at the end of last season, Bluebirds fans will be hoping that they can maintain their impressive third position in the League.
Column Continues Below...
David Wheater v Mark Hudson
Another disappointing performance on Tuesday night lead to more people calling for Wheater to be dropped, after our defenders couldn't have made Blackpool's three goals look any easier to score. I think as soon as he's fit, Riggott should start alongside Pogatetz at the back to give us more experience and class in the heart of our defence.
Hudson has become a key player for manager Dave Jones, who appointed him captain of his third successive club at the beginning of the campaign. Following their outstanding 2-0 win at West Brom in mid-week, the 27-year-old will be looking to help his side keep their third consecutive clean sheet.
Isaiah Osbourne v Chris Burke
Following a great game at Loftus Road, where fans described his display as George Boateng like, Osbourne let down many of his fans with an awful performance against the Seasiders. Heading back to Villa in the New Year, I think Strachan should start the Birmingham born midfielder on the bench if Digard is fully fit.
After making nearly 100 league appearances in his seven years at Rangers, Burke moved to Cardiff on a free to gain more first team opportunities. Appearing in every fixture for the Bluebirds this season, the right winger was their man of the match against West Brom on Tuesday night.
Mark Yeates v Peter Whittingham
After scoring his first Middlesbrough goal last weekend and producing one of his best displays in a red shirt, many people expected the Irishman to maintain his place in the starting line up on Tuesday. Coming off the bench and making the biggest impression on the game, surely Yeates will be lining up against Cardiff on Sunday.
The 25-year-old has played a major part in Cardiff's successful start to the campaign, scoring 12 league goals in 19 appearances. Whittingham, who won the October player of the month, will come into this game with confidence after scoring the goal that secured Dave Jones's side all three points at the Hawthorns.
Leroy Lita v Michael Chopra
Since the arrival of Kitson, Lita has looked a much better player and he showed that by scoring two good goals at QPR last week. We need him to be back to his best for the crucial match against Cardiff, as he'll hopefully help fire us back into the play-off positions ahead of the Newcastle match.
The former Newcastle and Sunderland striker rejoined Cardiff just 55 seconds before the transfer window shut in the summer to become their record transfer for £4million. Now in his third spell at Cardiff City, their most dangerous player, who scored two against us last season, will be hoping for a repeat performance on Sunday.
After the shock 3-0 defeat to Blackpool, I don't think anyone can predict which Middlesbrough side we are going to see. Hopefully the players will start at their best right from the off and give the fans something to cheer about.
Following Tuesday's dreadful result, I think we will unfortunately see a repeat result of our 2-0 home defeat to Cardiff two years ago in the FA Cup.
