STEW'S PREVIEWS
MIDDLESBROUGH v BLACKPOOL
Stewart Flaherty, 7 Dec 2009
BORO EYE VIEW
What a difference one game can make! Back in the top six and with confidence sky high
after battering promotion contenders QPR in London, Boro will have their tails up and be
look to grab a second win in four days against Blackpool. The return of Gary O'Neill
was a big factor in a superb display that will inject life into the promotion
campaign.
After Lita's second goal QPR quickly countered but, when faced with a
chance to buckle once more and throw points away, Boro lifted their spirits and produced a
clinical display that was without doubt their biggest win of the season. Boro will
look to win a second straight game and take high confidence into a couple of tough
upcoming fixtures after this one.
Column Continues Below...
BLACKPOOL EYE VIEW
Blackpool are right in the mix for the play-offs themselves, and were in the top six
until a disappointing loss where they conceded two late goals to Barnsley on Saturday. Like all
teams, they will look to bounce back quickly, but will not take much heart from Boro's
performance against QPR. Having only one away win so far this season, they will
likely look to make it tough for Boro and restrict space, as a point gained would
help them get back on track.
We all know Gordon Strachan is capable of a funny interview, but he is not the only
one. This clip of Blackpool boss Ian Holloway in his QPR days is a classic,
describing an 'ugly' win;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YBgp_LaPWc
HEAD TO HEAD
Goalkeepers
Boro - Brad Jones will now be looking to be involved in the World Cup this summer. The draw will have made the tournament more real in the minds of fans and players,
and he must perform at a high level to be a contender against Mark Schwarzer.
Blackpool - Matthew Gilks has been the starter of late for Blackpool. The 27-year-
old was signed from Norwich and competes for the number one spot with American Paul
Rachubka. Rachubka was last season's Club Player of the Year and has played for
Manchester United, making a Premier League appearance during the 2000-2001 season.
Edge - Boro. Jones is an athletic shot stopper who has the upper hand on both
Blackpool keepers.
Boro Defence vs Blackpool Attack
Boro - The Boro backline performed well on the road against a very dangerous QPR
side. While not a clean sheet, the performance will certainly give the Boro defence some confidence. The fact that Boro are starting to score more goals may well also relieve some of the
mental pressure on the unit.
Rhys Williams is performing at a high level at right back, his natural position.
David Wheater, Sean St Ledger and Emanuel Pogatetz occupy the other three spots and all have the individual ability to become a solid unit.
Blackpool - Blackpool's joint top scorer is former Hull City striker Ben Burgess,
who has six goals so far this season. Burgess began his career with Blackburn Rovers
and was the Seasiders' leading goalscorer last season with nine. Billy Clarke was Ian
Holloway's first signing as Blackpool boss and scored his first goal for the club two
weeks ago against Preston. Blackpool have depth in their forwards as two other forwards with
Premier League experience are in the squad. Former Southampton star Brett Ormerod -
he of the lightning pace and diminutive gypsy like appearance and Jason
Euell, whose most recent Premier League experience came with Middlesbrough...
Edge - Boro. The entire team will be riding high in confidence after last week, and
the back line have a chance to get some good performances under their belt. The
addition of Williams at right back makes for a more solid unit defensively.
Midfield
Boro - One of the more impressive things about the demolition of QPR, is it was
achieved without our dynamic winger Adam Johnson. On that note, away from the field, I
am sure I echo the sentiments of all Boro fans in wishing Adam Johnson's mother a
speedy recovery.
Gary O'Neil was simply magnificent in London, and he is a real game winner at this level.
A high energy, solid ball winner who is missed whenever he doesn't play. The only
negative of the day was Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was in the stands to see the
virtuoso performance. Hopefully he does not lure O'Neil down south and closer to
home during the January window. O'Neil and Osborne are a good pair centrally and
the return of Johnson is a plus. Yeates could give Arca an interesting fight for
the right midfield spot afer a good performance and a goal in London.
Blackpool - Scotsman Charlie Adam is Blackpool's other leading goal scorer with an
impressive tally of six from midfield. Adam signed from Glasgow Rangers and brings
with him Scottish Premier League, UEFA Cup, and Champions League experience. Adam
is joined in central midfield by Keith Southern , a tough tackling midfielder who
joined from Everton and has played 17 games so far this season.
Blackpool also have flair out wide in the shape of World Cup bound Hameur Bouazza,
and David Vaughan. The speedy and tricky Bouazza is an Algerian international and
played in the Premier League with Watford. Welsh international David Vaughan has
played 16 internationals, and also has some Spanish La Liga experience with Real
Sociedad.
Boro Attack vs Blackpool Defence
Boro - Kitson has been a massive addition to the Boro team, and may just spend the
rest of his loan being the best striker in this division. Big, powerful, and a
finisher, he certainly shows the truth in Strachan's early words of a team being "as
good as its strikers". Boro are unquestionably a better team with him up front.
Many fans may go overboard in the tactician department describing the performance in
London, maybe it was simply a case of the confidence that comes with putting your
chances away! Lita produced a good performance and this pair give Boro a real
force up front.
Blackpool - Alex Baptiste takes one of the centre back roles and is a threat from
set pieces, having scored three goals this season. Baptiste is usually joined by Ian
Evatt or Marcel Seip, who has UEFA Cup experience with Heerenveen. Scottish
left-back Spehen Crainey is probably Blackpool's best defender, he has Premier
League experience in both England and Scotland, as well as a number of caps for the
Scottish national team. The back line is completed by Welsh international right
back Neil Eardley.
Edge - Boro. A strong front pair that has both pace and size, and is also sky high in
confidence.
Fans
Boro - It will be interesting to see the size of the gate, but many fans will be eager
to see if an upswing in home form is due, and if Kitson is the focal point we need
to break down visiting sides who sit back and defend. The crowd should get behind
the team and make it difficult for Blackpool.
Blackpool - Though the trip isn't long distance wise, a midweek fixture during the
Christmas shopping period could lead to a relatively small away following.
Prediction
Boro win - Boro have produced eight goals in the past three games and a Blackpool side who
are coming off a disappointing loss will have their work cut out to stop them.
