We Understand Southgate's Intentions Now
Tuesday, 13 January 09, 12:28 PM · Comments(1)
Good afternoon Peeps and Boro fans,
The result on Saturday was not the end of the world for Middlesbrough FC. Although we should have won the game with the chances we had we are not in the bottom three and we can build on an unbeaten run.
There were plenty of positives to come from the game at the Riverside last Saturday. Afonso Alves grabbed a Premiership goal, at last. The Brazilian is now on a three goal run in 2009. With important games coming up, like Saturdays game at West Brom, it is crucial that our top striker is on form in front of goal.
Stewart Downing highlighted, against Sunderland, why he is so important to the team for the remainder of the season and we have the Middlesbrough manager to thank for that. Southgate has stood firm over the transfer speculation surrounding our left winger and has been very strong minded about the whole situation.
Southgate may not have all the right attributes to steer a team from the touch line, but he does have excellent player management skills off the pitch. Within seven days, Southgate has managed to turn around Downing's career ambitions and the player's stance at his home town club.
We have to thank Gareth Southgate for this. If Middlesbrough were managed by anyone else we could have said goodbye to Downing already with offers of £15million being too much to reject by other managers in our situation.
Didier Digard is key to Boro's survival
The Frenchman is, by far, our most industrious player and has been in great form for the past couple of months.
He has adapted very well to the Premiership since swapping France for England. Boro fans thought they would have to wait a while to see Digard because Southgate insisted he would have to settle before playing on a regular basis.
Injuries to Arca and O'Neil meant that Digard was given an early birth into the Boro team. Since his debut the French centre midfielder has shown he is more than capable of manning the engine room on the pitch.
His performances have been the only positive in recent games when, as a team, we have played badly. Consistency is key to a player becoming a great player and Digard certainly has that attribute to his game. Let's hope he can keep it going.
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james laville said:well i am a hardcore boro fan and i wouldnt want boro to go gdown but if we do ...
gregorysmiller said:mate if your counting on alfonso alves to keep middle up from chmpshp then you ...
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1 Comments · Add yours
Well, I pretty much knew more or less abt GS talk with Stewy. Apparently, he said that Stewy's too good for Spurs and that he should aim higher by playing his best until season end. tbh that was a good move by GS 'cuz it really gave Stewy added incentive to play well and that works on the pitch. Digard. Dude that guy was class. I nvr imagine he would settle in so well and fast. All in all one of our best players for this season. Also hope to see Alves banging in more goals. Three in two matches is a good sign and here's hoping for more. As for the derby match, we should have won ffs. Sunderland has Richardson and Malbranque to thank for taking two of our three best players out of the pitch. :( Walker and Digard were absolute class and Sunderland don't look like a team worthy of taking anything out of the match when these two were on the pitch. Anyway, here's hoping that we can get a win against WBA this week at away. :)