Boro Team Finding Their Feet Again October 7, 2009
Posted by stuart in Middlesbrough.Tags: Adam Johnson, Boro, Gareth Southgate, Gary O'Neil, Jeremie Aliadiere, Leroy Lita, Middlesbrough, Sean St Ledger
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Was it a three-match-blip that we witnessed in 10 days of forgetful football? Or was it because the team was adapting to new faces and players returning from injury?
Some of the lads will be off on international duty this week and will hopefully come back refreshed and ready for the Watford game a week on Saturday. Others will be in and around the training grounds in the next 10 days, for some to build-up fitness and for others to work on what went wrong in those terrible three games against West Brom, Coventry and Leicester City.
It was clear by everyone watching those three games that our defence looked a little out of sorts due to the new arrival of Sean St Ledger and the change of full-backs once again. The team has to adapt to these changes and it will take time, but I think the side is now looking like it could flourish once again just like it did at the beginning of the season.
It was an unforgivable sight to see us throw away a two goal lead against Coventry and also to be thrashed 5-0 by one of our main rivals but we must see that the team will once again produce the goods especially if you have players like Gary O’Neil, Adam Johnson and Leroy Lita livening things up.
The balance of Southgate’s side is edging closer to being at its full potential. We have two rock solid defenders at the heart of the defence and despite their teething problems as new partners they will soon match any Championship attackers that come their way. The exciting part of the Boro team is the midfield with Mark Yeates finding his feet very well at a higher level to what he has been used to and also the exciting talent of Adam Johnson who is a real threat to opposition defences.
Outstanding performers for me so far this season though must go to Gary O’Neil and Rhys Williams as both midfielders have shown grit and determination to dominate the midfield and allow our attackers the freedom to do their business. It will be interesting to see when or if Didier Digard is put back into the centre of the midfield, Southgate might be tempted to shape-up his team formation to allow a three-man midfield to mould which could be interesting.
Up top and Southgate finally got it right against Reading opting to change the strike duo. Lita cam in for Emnes which was a good move, not only because Leroy scored but also because it added more balance with a strong striker feeding Aliadiere who has pace. It was about time that we went with that option again.
It is fair to say that if we had not got a result against Reading that Southgate might have walked or even been pushed out of the door at the Riverside but he is still with us and he now has a tough little set of fixtures to tackle before being summoned to Lamb and Gibson for the assessment of that 15 game trial. Two massive home games against Watford and Derby County are next, six points is a must.
How do you think the side is progressing this season? Do you think we have enough in the locker to keep up with Newcastle?
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Nice piece! Just thought I would add that Southgate has had a lot of stick from the Boro fans for a reason and only until he gets the team back to where we should be we will continue to judge him. As for the current situation, we played well against Reading and we should be looking to get going again. Just think if we had beaten Leicester and Coventry we would be top. It is a good job that Newcastle and West Brom are stumblers too.
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I have to agree, Southgate is still being judged by the men at the top of the Boro chain and Southgate will have to be in the top 2 by the new year to keep his job. I also agree that the team did look much more balanced against Reading although I’m not too sure about a 3 man central midfield. Dont forget Williams is a full-back! We definitely have enough to keep up with Newcastle, I just hope we can be more consistent from now on.
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Yeah tell me about it Alan – we would be flying had we not crumbled against West Brom. Again this year’s Championship season is very tight at the top.
Ian – you are spot on with your last sentence in that we have to be more consistent. If we can get an unbeaten run going again we will soon find ourselves leap-frogging the Magpies.
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Must not forget the season is a marathon not a sprint. Getting off to a flyer possibly created unnecessary pressure to maintain such results. I think the important thing is to be in or about the top at January to keep O’Neill and Johnson when the transfer window opens.
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Great point Graham – Johnson and O’Neil have been key so far this season. It makes me laugh when the media throw rumours about… O’Neil leaving the Riverside for £2million. What a load of tosh!
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We are notably poor over the festive period. It will be interesting to see where we are at the beginning of January. Big game against the barcodes as well in december.
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I would be made up if we were top by Christmas – you needs presents! Ian, if we are top by Christmas I’ll buy the beers for New years!!
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