The North East Merry-Go-Round December 17, 2009
Posted by stuart in Newcastle, Sunderland, Tyne Tees Derby.Tags: Adam Johnson, Brad Jones, Danny Coyne, Follow The Boro Brick Road, Gordon Strachan, Lee Cattermole, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Robert Huth, Steve McClaren, Stewart Downing, Sunderland, Tyne–Tees derby
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As Gordon Strachan prepares his squad for his first Tyne-Tees derby on Sunday afternoon, I’ve been looking at the weird and somewhat exciting times for the North East in footballing terms.
For the moment we have to take Boro out of that equation which is only temporary I must add. Newcastle have found their feet in the Championship a lot easier than Southgate’s and Strachan’s side because they have not had many changes to their starting line-up or changed the way they play.
If I’m being honest, Hughton’s side will win the Championship this season and by a big margin at that, which leaves room for two more promotion pushers. I would like to think that Middlesbrough would be one of those teams that will find the path to the Premier League, but if you look at the players we have lost since relegation you can see why we are where we are now, and not at the top of the table.
Stewart Downing is a massive loss to any team, but to take our most creative and intelligent player out of the side and not replace him is going to make life difficult. I suppose we just have to say that he is one of a kind and can’t be replaced. Johnson is a great player in his own way but Downing not only offered the team technical guile but he also offered consistency something that Adam Johnson has lacked so far.
Letting in goals has been a massive problem since our back four was reshuffled. Robert Huth was excellent for us at the end of the relegation campaign last season and was our main leader at the back. Now he has gone to Stoke City, leaving us with young heads at the back. I can see why Strachan is being linked with Caldwell because he would certainly add more leadership for us which you need at any level in football.
Taking Danny Coyne out of the side after he did so well for a month at the beginning of the season was a big mistake. The Welshman is very commanding and organises the defence well which is something that Brad Jones lacks in his locker. Jones is a confidence goalkeeper and when the going gets tough I think he is unable to handle the pressure, excuse the pun. After the goal we conceded against Cardiff City last weekend I think it will be time for Strachan to bring Coyne back into the first team, not only to solidify things but also to keep Jones on his toes.
My last point is about the Sunderland match the other night. The Mackems have certainly got their act together and with Bruce at the helm are becoming a more ambitious club. They lost to Aston Villa on Tuesday evening and whilst most Boro fans would have been delighted with the result, I stepped back and looked at the bigger picture. There was a left winger called Stewart Downing playing for Villa, but hang on he used to play for Middlesbrough and then on 70 minutes a little skin-head called Lee Cattermole came on for Sunderland who also used to play for Middlesbrough – both excellent players that will surely only get better and better.
This is where I leave you for today. As we approach the Tyne-Tees battle at the weekend I can’t help think about ‘what if’ we still had these players on Teesside? If we had the right management at the time we could be challenging for a Europa League spot once again. Why O why did Steve McClaren answer the door when England came knocking?
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Southgate Red-Faced About Cattermole August 12, 2009
Posted by stuart in Lee Cattermole, Middlesbrough.Tags: Didier Digard, Gareth Southgate, Lee Cattermole, Middlesbrough F.C., Sunderland, Wigan Athletic F.C.
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If the rumours are true, Lee Cattermole could be on his way to Sunderland in the next few days. Our former scrapper is being linked with a move to the Stadium of Light to link-up with Steve Bruce again. The move is reported to be worth £10million to Wigan Athletic. That means in the space of 14 months Wigan will have profited £6.5million after they take off the price they paid Middlesbrough just over a year ago.
Was it a gamble to let Lee Cattermole leave the Riverside or was it just plain stupidity by the Boro boss. I’m sure Southgate is now regretting letting the 21-year-old leave. I remember the reason why Southgate let him go.
“When you get into the first team as young as he has, it’s frustrating when you’re not a bit more regular in the side.” – Gareth Southgate
This has since backfired on Southgate because Cattermole thrived at Wigan last season under the guidance of Steve Bruce. As soon as Cattermole left the Riverside their were cracks appearing in the Boro midfield. George Boateng had not been replaced either so the cover was just not there. To make matters worse the Stockton-on-Tees born lad even rubbed salt into the wound when he clattered Didier Digard earlier this year, injuring the Frenchman for two months. Digard was probably the reason why Southgate let Cattermole go so no wonder the feisty youngster got his own back on Southgate.
With injuries to Didier Digard and to Matthew Bates, we are becoming increasingly lightweight in the middle of the park again. The Boro boss needs to get the chequebook out and bring in some tough tackling midfielders otherwise we will be bullied and out-muscled in matches this season.
No movement in the transfer market this week has given us a few more worries. Pull your finger out Gareth!
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