STEW'S PREVIEWS
SCUNTHORPE UNITED v MIDDLESBROUGH
Stewart Flaherty; 18 Aug 2009
BORO EYE VIEW
Well, that's more like it, isn't it?!
When all is said and done, it will not go down as one of Boro's biggest ever wins, but that was massive.
The mentality of the town, and seemingly the team, has been engulfed in a choke hold of mediocrity for a while now.
To win on the road, and to do so 3-0, is just huge.
The section of the crowd just waiting for a reason to be optimistic have it now.
This does not undo all the bad events, but merely gives us hope for the season.
Of further benefit is that this could have a positive effect on incoming transfers.
It may be early days, but players moving at the end of August would rather come to a top of the table team than they would a mid-table one that hopes to put a run together.
This game against Scunny is a chance to make it more than a one-off game. It gives us a chance to join the early season pace setters, and to keep a third consecutive clean sheet, which is an achievement not to be sniffed at.
We have momentum, but it lasts only until your next defeat in football.
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IRONS' EYE VIEW
They see Boro as a difficult game.
They pulled off a good win against Derby but have just been promoted via the League One play-offs.
In their eyes, Middlesbrough are a big club and a worrying fixture.
They will certainly be fired up but will they have the genuine belief that they can beat Middlesbrough?
Scunthorpe may well see avoiding relegation as a success so even a point here will add to the tally.
OVERVIEW
Cliché's such as "no easy games" should be put aside. Although an away game, Scunthorpe are a team we should beat if we are aiming to be promoted back to the Premier League.
Goalkeepers
He has not had a lot of work to do but Danny Coyne has made a solid start to life as a Boro keeper and is making a strong case to hold the spot all season.
Republic of Ireland international Joe Murphy is between the sticks for Scunthorpe.
Edge: Boro. We could have unearthed a real diamond in the impressive Coyne.
Boro Defence v Scunthorpe Attack
Hayes and Hooper line up for Scunthorpe. Hooper scored last week but these are not names that will frighten Boro fans or even be recognized by many.
They are run of the mill Championship forwards who should be handled convincingly by a Boro back line with plenty of high level experience and who are playing with the confidence of two straight clean sheets.
Edge: Boro. We are simply too experienced and too good for this pair.
Midfield
Northern Ireland international Michael O'Connor mans the engine room for Scunthorpe, alongside the vastly experienced Grant McCann.
This pair are no mugs, but Boro impressed last week and although I am still not convinced about the centre-midfield spots, Boro's wing play is truly dangerous and should shred Scunthorpe.
Edge: Boro. Yeates and Johnson are already starting to look like game winners in this division.
Boro Attack v Scunthorpe Defence
Pace, pace, pace!!
Scunthorpe, if they have studied the video footage, must be worried about the speed Boro are capable of breaking at.
When we are on the road, teams that throw bodies forward will be primed for swift counter-attacks.
The centre-forwards (most likely to be Lita and Emnes) should always find room as the full-backs will be more than occupied.
Right-back Andrew Wright has played long spells in the USA college and low level pro game. You have to think a key to this game would be whether that background prepares you for the likes of Adam Johnson, who could give him a roasting.
Edge: Boro. Too quick and oozing in confidence from the Swansea game.
Fans
It is another road game, but one positive from Saturday's win is the chance of a negative crowd reaction being watered down.
Prediction
WIN. Exactly the kind of game a result must come from if promotion is a genuine aim.
