Wednesday, September 07, 2005
The Season So Far
2005 / 2006 senior squad - click image to enlargeSo here we are in September, four games in and only one win so far. It started well with a fighting draw against a match fit Liverpool squad that included an in-form Steven Gerrard, who was thwarted at every corner by a solid defense and a bit of luck. Next came Spurs and a 2-0 defeat - luck was against us that day, but no excuses as Spurs look like early contenders for most improved team this season. Then there was the evening fixture at St. Andrews and a 3-0 drubbing of Birmingham, including two glorious goals from Mark Viduka and a typically opportunistic headed goal from Franck Queudrue. Great things were expected then for the next home fixture against Charlton, but fortunes were totally reversed and it was Boro who suffered the 3-0 drubbing...
Since then Michael Reiziger has gone for good, Joseph Job has been loaned to an obscure Saudi Arabian side and new signing Fabio Rochemback has arrived for training from Sporting Lisbon (not pictured above). News also that Stewart Downing is out for 3 months and requires more surgery on that knee, means there's more to moan about than smile at. The boss has been on International duty, as have many of the players, so not so much of a rest or a chance to train together before the next game against Arsenal on the 10th. Fans will be wondering which team will step onto the pitch that day, the slick and confident side that faced Brum or the lackluster outfit that limped out against Charlton...
All eyes will be on the new boy in midfield, in hope he can create chances to get 7.5m signing Yakubu off the mark, or to continue the form of Mark Viduka (who scored a few for Australia in the break). Emanuel Pogatetz should figure in the line-up and also has something to prove. But the big question for me is what will Steve McClaren do to compensate for Stewie's absence? All will be revealed...
