Monday, March 06, 2006
Boro 1 Birmingham 0
Not the most inspiring games of all time, that is true, but it is the kind of home win that you grind out when not at your best - a feat we couldn't buy for love nor money a few months ago. What was good was Mark Viduka's winner: the Aussie has had to sit on the bench through Jimmy Floyd's purple patch and, fair play to him, he proved his point in the best possible way and looked rightly chuffed with himself. The skill demonstrated to coolly turn the defense inside out, sell the keeper one and then slot in from a tight angle is not to be sniffed at - it is right up there with the best Boro goals of the season make no doubt about it.There was much made of this being another big six pointer and Birmingham were expected to have the bit between their teeth from the start. Their desire was clear for all to see, but their finishing in the final third was poor, reflecting their league position. Boro did ride their luck at the back at times and would have conceded a fair few against a more confident team, but Schwarzer was once again on song and the boys in front of him did just enough to keep the blues at bay. Mendieta, Boateng, Doriva and Cattermole all did their bit in midfield to keep it competitive, and at the end of the day it is 3 more points, six wins from seven in all competitions and almost certain safety in the premiership.
34 points and 15th position, leapfrogging Fulham. As Gareth Southgate said in the post match interview, it is time to look up the table now - only 6 points to the top 10 (surely our next target) and a game in hand on most of the teams above us. The problem now could be fixture congestion, although we have been pretty used to that this season. Seven games in 23 days is a lot and it is not an impossibility we will come back to earth with a crash against Roma, making an away day at the Valley next Sunday seem a daunting task. As it stands though we are in great heart and long may it continue. Come on Boro!
My MOTM: Mark Viduka for a great mini comeback and a terrific goal.
