STEW'S PREVIEWS
MIDDLESBROUGH v DONCASTER ROVERS
Stewart Flaherty; 21 Aug 2009
BORO EYE VIEW
Are we rolling? We just may be! Boro look very solid at the back and have secured back to back away wins. Returning home to face Doncaster, the team will be full of confidence and rightly so. Anything less than a win here will be a disappointment. We have had a good start, but so have a number of teams so home games like this must yield three points for us to remain front runners.
We are scoring goals, not letting them in and are looking sharp. Three points is the expected and likely outcome by a crowd who may just be seeing the green shoots of optimism in some parts of the terraces.
ROVERS EYE VIEW
"As soon as the fixture list was released back in July, Rovers fans were sure to look when (we) would face the three teams relegated from the top flight in May. The first of those fixtures takes place on Saturday as Rovers make the relatively short trip north to take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium".
This quote comes directly from the Rovers website and is indicative of how we are viewed in this division. We are a big club, a front runner, and this is a massive game for a team who would love to come and take a point away with them.
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OVERVIEW
Boro should win and Boro must win in order to maintain the upbeat vibe that is beginning to seep through into the crowd.
This division usually ends up with the teams between sixth and 18th in a close scrap, separated by little. Boro must avoid this group, and beating teams like this is how we do it.
Goalkeepers
Danny Coyne continues his impressive start of three clean sheets in his first three games.
Doncaster have the very experienced Neil Sullivan who made a name for himself in the Premier League with many good games for Wimbledon, and obviously being lobbed from halfway by a certain Mr. Beckham!
Edge: Doncaster. More high level experience.
Boro Defence v Scunthorpe Attack
Boro have a back line that has been very impressive. It will be threatened more by the transfer window than any Championship forwards as things look right now!
Shiels and Hayter line up for Donny up front but frankly more goal threat exists in their midfield line.
Edge: Boro. Four clean sheets in a row?
Midfield
This will be a closer battle I imagine than many will give Doncaster credit for.
Boro have obviously massively impressive wingers but who is fit to go in the centre? O'Neil looks good but may be due hernia surgery.
A big concern for Boro should be the experience of John Oster and the massive goal threat of Brian Stock, a truly impressive attacking midfielder who would not be a bad transfer target for Middlesbrough.
Edge: Even. Boro on the wings, Doncaster in the middle.
Boro Attack v Doncaster Defence
Doncaster have a run of the mill Championship back line. At some point, Boro's pace will tell and that one time may be enough for a win. Leroy Lita is returning to match fitness and this is a good game for him to start scoring.
Edge: Boro. Too quick and too good not to score at least one.
Fans
As long as we keep winning, the Riverside will become a fortress in this division and a good crowd reaction will remain.
Edge: Boro. Two road wins may swell the gate.
Verdict
WIN. It won't be as easy as some may predict but another Boro win should be on the cards.
