A WAY THROUGH THIS
MIDDLESBROUGH v SWANSEA CITY
Jonathan Way, 23 Jan 2010
Misery continues...
Gordon Strachan's dreadful start as Boro boss continued on Saturday as another second half slump cost us all three points as Sheffield United v Boro ended in a 1-0 defeat. Despite Strachan's new additions looking good, the mood is still at a low on Teesside. This fixture has now become a must win, if we are to have any chance in catching up to the top six.
Since last meeting Boro back in August, where a 3-0 defeat left Paulo Sousa still looking for his first point, Swansea soon went on an impressive 11 match unbeaten run. With just five defeats and having beaten many of their promotion rivals, the Swans now find themselves sitting comfortably in the play-off places.
Column Continues Below...
David Wheater v Alan Tate
Wheater - The 22 -year-old failed to prevent Richard Cresswell's winning header, as another game showed how the defender has dipped in form this campaign.
Wheater definitely hasn't looked like himself in recent weeks, but he will be hoping to record Middlesbrough's second clean sheet under Strachan in 11 matches.
Tate - The former Manchester United player is one of the Swans' longest serving players, having made his loan move permanent in 2004.
Tate has covered all positions in defence for Swansea last season, including goalkeeper, he has played a big part in helping the Welsh side record an outstanding 14 clean sheets this campaign.
Barry Robson v Darren Pratley
Robson - The Scottish midfielder who joined from Celtic last week claims to have left Celtic Park in search of regular first team football. Robson, who came straight into the starting 11 at Bramall Lane, put in a decent performance for his new club as he looked a threat going forward and certainly put himself about in the middle of the pitch.
Pratley - Swansea's number eight made himself a legend back in November when his first two goals of the campaign earned his side all three points against rivals Cardiff. Since then, Pratley has scored three goals in his last two away games and will be looking to add to his tally this Saturday on Teesside.
Isaiah Osbourne v Nathan Dyer
Osbourne - Starting his ninth match for Boro, Osbourne put in another decent display for the side and also tested Blades' keeper Bunn a couple of times.
He is on loan until February and I hope Osbourne's recent performances have been enough to persuade Strachan to try and extend his loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season.
Dyer - Swansea's number 12 joined in the Summer to bolster Sousa's midfield, and aim for a place in the play-offs come the end of the campaign.
Dyer, who was the man of the match in their 1-0 win against Leicester on Saturday, will definitely be one player to watch out for at the Riverside.
Chris Killen v David Cotterill
Killen - Signed on a free deal until the end of the season, to play under his former manager.
After failing to make an impact in Scotland with no goals in 11 appearances this campaign, I really hope the New Zealand international can find his from for Middlesbrough and won't just join the long list of flop strikers at Boro.
Cotterill - The 22-year-old made his loan move from Sheffield United permanent a fortnight ago for a club-record fee of £600,000 after impressing manager Paulo Sousa.
The Welsh international, who was one of Swansea's best players against Leicester last weekend, will be aiming to continue his outstanding form.
This will be a tight fixture between two promotion rivals who have very different form at the moment.
Middlesbrough come into this game with just one win in their last six, whereas the Swan's have lost just one of their previous six.
Hopefully a second successive home league win will take Boro back into touching distance of the play-offs. However, having been unbeaten in their previous four games, I think that Swansea will hold us to a 1-1 draw this weekend to leave us floating in mid table.
