STEW'S PREVIEWS
MIDDLESBROUGH v SWANSEA CITY
Stewart Flaherty, 8 Dec 2009
BORO EYE VIEW
Middlesbrough performed well against superior opposition in the FA Cup,
showing a nice work rate and a good level of organization. However the team did lack cutting edge,
after Adam Johnson limped off, and the need for a goal scorer to be added to the side
is plain for all to see.
Boro lay in 11th, and this game is an important chance to
cut the deficit with Swansea, who are in 6th place, the final playoff spot and five points
ahead of the Boro.
Boro managed a 3-0 win at Swansea earlier in the season, in a game that produced an
excellent goal by Marvin Emnes;
Swansea currently hold a spot in the top 6 and are the owners of the league's best
defensive record. They will come to the Riverside looking for revenge for the 3-0
defeat earlier in the season, and with the confidence of knowing they have climbed
the table since then.
Column Continues Below...
HEAD TO HEAD
Goalkeepers
Boro - Danny Coyne is gaining a run in the team and the back four is showing signs
of improvement. His communication and presence has won praise from many fans and
pundits. Coyne will need to perform well, as 'goalkeeper' is still a potential area to
be upgraded.
Swansea - Dorus De vries is a former Dutch Under-21 international and a major
contributor to the Swansea defence leading the league in fewest goals conceded. De
vries has made over 100 appearances for the Swans.
Edge - Swansea. A talented and in form keeper playing with confidence.
Boro Defence v Swans Attack
Boro - Chris Riggott has played well since his welcome return from injury. He performed well against a City team that, for 45 minutes, included the excellent
Carlos Tevez. David Wheater will likely join him in the middle. Justin Hoyte is
playing on the left with Tony McMahon offering a bit of bite on the right.
It remains to be seen what the line-up will be when Emanuel Pogatetz is fully fit, it seems unlikely
he would be on the bench.
Swansea - Terrace folk hero Lee Trundle is the Swans joint top scorer with five goals,
but has found himself on the bench of late. Spaniard Gorka Pintado has been leading
the line despite having failed to score so far this season. Club record signing
Craig Beattie has scored three goals this term.
Edge - Boro. Riggott's return and the insertion of Coyne behind has gave the Boro
back line a more confident look of late.
Midfield
Boro - Hearts sank around the stadium last week when Adam Johnson's hamstring
problem resurfaced and he limped down the tunnel, taking with him Boro's primary
source of creativity and attacking flair on the day.
Isaiah Osborne should return to the line-up and will be paired with either Rhys Williams or the all action Gary O'Neill in the engine room. Mark Yeates continues to knock on the door for first team
starts.
Swansea - Darren Pratley has netted five goals from a central midfield position and his
forward runs have added to the solid possession-keeping play of Cedric Van Der Gun.
Van Der Gun is a former Ajaz player who was once rated as one of Holland's brightest young
prospects.
Leon Britton has started 19 games so far in midfield and is the current
club 'Players' Player of the Year'.
Adding to the Swansea midfield of late has been the impressive play of Wales
international winger David Cotterill;
Drawing praise from his teammates for his fitness levels, Cotterill is a traditional
winger with pace, the ability to beat a defender off the dribble, and a very good
final ball. Cotterill netted his first Swansea goal last time out in a 2-1 defeat
at Leicester.
Edge - Even. If Johnson is out, as expected, with hamstring troubles, this becomes a
very even and hard fought affair.
Boro Attack v Swansea Defence
Boro - The extension of Marcus Bent's loan period was an emergency remedy for what
is a dire situation right now. Middlesbrough simply have a forward line light on
experience and the ability to score goals.
The coaching staff are doubtless working behind closed doors to improve the situation, with Kris Boyd one of the rumoured
transfer targets;
Swansea - Captain Garry Monk leads a Swansea back four with the best defensive
record in the league. Monk is usually joined at centre back by Wales international
Ashley Williams. Fans' favourite and club veteran Alan Tate and Birmingham City
Academy graduate Marcos Painter are the first choice full backs.
Edge - Swansea. Boro are thin on the ground and this back line is Swansea's biggest
strength.
Fans
Boro - A sad attendance figure of around 12,000 were present for an FA Cup fixture
against a Premier League club. Tough times are here for the club and only a
prolonged run of wins and some success will significantly up the crowd figures.
Swansea - An excited fan base are enjoying the promotion chase, and a passionate
following should make the trip to the Riverside.
Prediction
Boro win. This is a real crunch game when you look at the standings. A Swansea
victory could see the Boro fall eight points behind the playoff places, a truly worrying
scenario. However, a win could see them within touching distance and inject some
confidence into the team.
