STEW'S PREVIEWS
MIDDLESBROUGH v BRISTOL CITY
Stewart Flaherty, 29 Jan 2010
BORO EYE VIEW
Boro come off an outstanding performance at Doncaster and sit 10th in the table.
The penalty of a 10 point deduction from Crystal Palace has moved Boro up
to 9th. However a number of teams below have games in hand and this game against
Bristol is a chance for Boro to move a fellow contender down a spot and separate
themselves from the chasing pack. Now is a good time to start a run of form and
Boro will have that firmly in mind while looking for three points against the Robins.
BRISTOL EYE VIEW
The Robins come off the back off what was quite frankly a good hiding in midweek.
Cardiff showed up to Ashton Gate and dished out a 6-0 thrashing that will have made the Robins
confidence low and raised serious questions about Bristol as a play-off contender.
Cardiff also dumped City out of the FA Cup the previous week, so Bristol will be
happy to see the back of the Bluebirds. They will look to turn things around
quickly but will know they face a tough and long road trip to the Riverside to do
so.
Column Continues Below...
HEAD TO HEAD
Goalkeepers
Boro - Danny Coyne continues to play well in goal for Boro. The Wales international
shows good presence and communication ability. This was certainly important at
Doncaster with such a young pair of centre backs in front of him.
Bristol - Dean Gerken has played 22 games this season and has previous North-East
history after a loan spell at Darlington. Brazilian goalkeeper Adriano Basso is a
former Club Payer of the Year and could be pushing for a spot after a six goal
capitulation.
Edge - Boro. Coyne is playing at a high and consistent level of late, marshalling a
young back line well.
Boro Defence v Bristol City Attack
Boro - A very young back line performed admirably at Doncaster. Jonathan Grounds
stepped in next to Wheater at centre back and the pair played very well, although questions
will remain about their experience against the big guns in the division. Chris
Riggott and Emanuel Pogatetz remain doubtful with injury, their return will add
experience to the back line. After a lot of rotation earlier in the season, Justin
Hoyte and Tony McMahon appear to be bringing some stability to the full back spots.
Bristol - Nicky Maynard is the star of the show on Bristol's front line with 11
goals so far, a pacey forward who is direct and a real threat. Maynard was a 2.25
million pound signing from Crewe Alexandra and bagged a brace when Bristol beat Boro
2-1 at Ashton Gate early in the season.
David Wheater will need no reminding of Maynard's pace after being beaten for the second goal at Ashton Gate. Danny Haynes has five goals in 21 games and is a former England Under-19 international. Bristol recently signed Patrick Agyemang from QPR, Agyemang is a block of muscle who will add a true physical presence to the City front line.
Edge - Bristol. Maynard is an excellent player who has done damage to Boro already
this season, and Agyemang will be a real handful and a good addition to the front
line. Boro may yet be looking to add to the back line, as while a decent unit it is
not among the elite in the division.
Midfield
Boro - Adam Johnson produced a magnificent performance at Doncaster, and if he is still
here when the window shuts, he will add significantly to Boro's attacking threats. The
man is a genuine match winner at this level and among the best players outside the
Premier League. Barry Robson remains a doubt, so Julio Arca look set to continue
alongside the impressive Gary O'Neil in the centre. Willo Flood has made a solid
start to his Boro career. When Robson returns and plays with O'Neil, this unit is
a real promotion contending group.
Bristol - Paul Hartley is an experienced centre midfielder who has won every
domestic honour in Scotland with Celtic. He has netted four goals this season and is a
wily and experienced campaigner.
Hartley is joined in midfield by lifelong City fan and local boy Cole Skuse, who has spent his career at the club and is a developing prospect. Northern Irish winger Ivan Sproule has broken into the side of light and offers real pace out wide.
New signing Jamal Campbell-Ryce will also bring pace and flair to the flanks. Campbell-Ryce netted nine goals for Barnsley in the Championship last season and is a Jamaican international with 20 caps.
Also featuring in the Barnsley midfield could be Ajax loan signing Evander Sno, who represented
Netherlands at the Beijing Olympics, and Marvin Elliott, a tough tackling and energetic midfielder who has played 20 games this season.
Edge - Boro. O'Neil inside adds steel to the unit and the razor sharp threat of
Johnson makes Boro a real handful in midfield.
Boro Attack v Middlesbrough Defence
Boro - A four goal performance will bring confidence to the Boro attacking line.
While not getting on the score sheet, powerful New Zealand international won praise
from Gordon Strachan with his work rate and skills leading the line.
Leroy Lita came off the bench and netted his 6th goal of the season, and Jonathan Franks
notched his first senior goal for the Boro. Jeremie Aliadiere continues to struggle
with an ankle injury.
Bristol - The City backline will be reeling after conceding six against Cardiff. City
have not kept a clean sheet since a 0-0 home draw with Ipswich on December 5th,
2009. Liam Fontaine and Louis Carey have been the centre back pairing of late for
City. Fontaine is an England Youth international and favorite of Gary Johnson, who he
has signed for at both Yeovil and Bristol.
Carey is a lifelong Bristol City fan and the fact he has suffered three broken noses during his career suggest he is unlikely to back down from an aerial challenge! Jamie McAllister is a highly experienced left back who has been capped for Scotland. McAllister is a good crosser of the ball who contributes in both defence and attack.
Right back Bradley Orr made the 2007/2008 Championship team of the year and has served Bristol City well since his signing from Burnley in 2004.
Welsh international Lewin Nyatanga is another defensive
option, Nyatanga has previous experience of promotion to the Premier League after
winning the play-off final with Derby in 2007. Jamie McCombe is currently injured
and is certainly missed by the Robins.
Edge - Boro. A four goal road display will lift spirits, and Lita and Franks
getting on the score sheet will further lift confidence. Chris Killen is playing well but
will look to get off the mark against a struggling Bristol back line.
Fans
Boro - One good game is unlikely to significantly lift the gate but the hardcore
following still showing at the Riverside will likely by encouraged by some real
signs of fight and steel shown by Boro of late. It would be nice to see the defiant
Erimus spirit one day return to the town as a majority.
Bristol - A long road trip will look less appealing after the Cardiff game, Bristol
will likely bring a small following who come in hope of a win rather than
expectation.
Prediction
Boro win. The signs of fight are there, and a winning streak resulting in a boost
of confidence could make Boro a real threat in the playoff run in.
