Gary O’Neil Fighting Fit For Ipswich Game September 5, 2009
Posted by stuart in Middlesbrough, O'Neil, Southgate.Tags: Boro, Gareth Southgate, Gary O'Neil, Ipswich Town, Julio Arca, Middlesbrough F.C.
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Gary O’Neil will strengthen Southgate’s options next week if he can be fit for the Ipswich Town game at the Riverside next Saturday. The 26-year-old has been in heroic form so far this season and even postponed a hernia operation to play in the first four league matches of the new season.
Julio Arca has come in for O’Neil and has done a steady job, nothing more so the return of O’Neil will be a massive boost for Southgate’s men as we look to get back to winning ways. I was concerned during transfer deadline day because I thought a Premiership team would come in for the midfielder, but luckily nobody did and now he can concentrate on his game and help us push for the Championship title. We need more players like O’Neil this season – a no nonsense type of player that has a bit of class on the ball, but ultimately is a workhorse.
It will be good to have him back in the middle of the park bossing the midfield because I thought we definitely missed his guile and tenacity in the 2-1 loss to Bristol City. Fingers crossed he can make the home game next week.
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Southgate Looking For His Championship Gem July 19, 2009
Posted by stuart in Arca, Emnes, Middlesbrough, O'Neil.Tags: Boro, Danny Coyne, Follow The Boro Brick Road, Gareth Southgate, Julio Arca, Mark Yeates, Marvin Emnes, Middlesbrough F.C.
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The Middlesbrough squad travelled to Macclesfield yesterday for their first friendly match of pre-season. Gareth Southgate named a mixed side of youth and experience for the game at Moss Rose. Gareth gave first starts to the new boys, Mark Yeates and Danny Coyne yesterday and both had impressive starts in their new shirts.
Mark Yeates showed some great touches to the small amount of Boro fans in his first appearance for Middlesbrough, which will give him and his manager confidence for the start of the season especially when the Boro boss searches for new options in his new-look first team.
Southgate made ten changes to the side at half time when the boys came in at 0-0 on 45 minutes. The second half ten ran the opposition tired in the latter stages of the game and eventually grabbed a 3-0 win to get the team off to a good start in their pre-season preparations. Goals came from Arca, Emnes and Franks.
Key Players For Boro Next Season
Two players who were on the score-sheet yesterday could have big seasons at Middlesbrough next season. I am predicting Marvin Emnes and Julio Arca to have a big impact on the league. Emnes could find himself amongst the leading goalscorers in the Championship at the beginning of May next year. The Dutchman showed us glimpses of his raw talent at the end of last season and with a bit of smoothing around the rough edges he could play a special part in our season.
Julio should come into his own next season. The Argentine is very experienced and will be a key player for us as we try to get back into the top flight at the first attempt. His industrious qualities and great touches on the ball will give us the edge when playing in the bigger games next season. A great partnership with either Digard or O’Neil could emerge depending on whether Gary sticks around at the Riverside next season. We must have the strongest looking midfield for next season. Johnson on the left, Yeates/O’Neil on the right with Arca/Bates and Digard in the middle.
More combinations will emerge in the next few games whilst Southgate works out his best formation and best personnel for the start of the season. The Boro players travel north to Scotland on Wednesday evening to face Dumbarton for another test.
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