Preview: Middlesbrough v Derby County Tuesday, 20th Oct 2009 12:02
Can Derby build on their draw at the Walker’s and win an away game? Or will Boro end their three game losing streak at the Riverside?
Middlesbrough v Derby County Coca Cola Championship Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough 8:00pm Tuesday 20th October 2009Middlesbrough:
Current League position: 4/24 Leading Scorer: Adam Johnson 5lg 1cp Manager: Gareth Southgate Kit Home: Red & White shirt/white shorts Kit Away: Last game: Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Watford
Quotes from the manager:
From the BBC following another home defeat:
"We've seen what emotions we've sent our away support home with and we want to do that for our home supporters".
"We're scratching our heads after a performance like that because we want it to happen here (at the Riverside)".
"We want to get both things right and Tuesday (game at home to Derby County) is crucial for us."
Current Boro Squad:
No. Position. Player 1 Keeper Brad Jones 2 Defender Justin Hoyte 3 Defender Andrew Taylor 4 Midfield Matthew Bates 5 Defender Chris Riggott 6 Defender Emanuel Pogatetz 7 Midfield Mark Yeates 8 Midfield Didier Digard 9 Striker Leroy Lita 10 Striker Jérémie Aliadière 11 Striker Marvin Emnes 12 Defender Sean St Ledger (on loan from Preston North End) 14 Striker Caleb Folan (on loan from Hull City) 15 Midfield Mohamed Shawky 16 Midfield Gary O'Neil 18 Midfield Adam Johnson 20 Midfield Julio Arca SUSPENDED 21 Keeper Danny Coyne 22 Midfield Josh Walker 23 Defender Jonathan Grounds 24 Defender Seb Hines INJURED 25 Defender Rhys Williams 26 Defender John Johnson 27 Defender Joe Bennett 28 Striker Jonathan Franks 29 Defender Tony McMahon 30 Keeper Jason Steele (footballer) 31 Defender David Wheater (captain) 32 Midfield Nathan Porritt
The Rams:
Quotes from the manager:
Commenting after the Leicester game:
"I'm satisfied with a point, certainly after the first half".
"They dominated and we didn't cope particularly well with what they were throwing at us and when we did get the ball we seemed to give it away, so it was a relief to get in at 0-0 at half time."
Talking about his two winger formation to the Derby Evening Telegraph:
"Lee Croft is a winger, Gary Teale a winger, but probably a little bit more industrious than Lee is at times."
"When we are not having enough of the ball and not on top, then they (two wingers) can be a bit of a luxury."
"Lee did not put one cross in during the hour he was on the pitch at Leicester and that is his strength, putting crosses in."
Current Rams Squad:
1 Keeper Stephen Bywater 2 Defender Paul Connolly 3 Defender James McEveley 4 midfield Paul Green INJURED 5 Defender Miles Addison INJURED 6 Defender Dean Leacock 7 Midfield Lee Croft 8 Midfield Robbie Savage (captain) 9 Striker Rob Hulse 10 Striker Kris Commons 11 Midfield Gary Teale 12 Striker Chris Porter INJURED 13 Keeper Saul Deeney 14 Defender Shaun Barker 16 Midfield Stephen Pearson INJURED 17 Defender Jake Buxton 18 Midfield Ben Pringle 19 Striker Giles Barnes INJURED 20 Striker Steve Davies INJURED 21 Midfield Dean Moxey 23 Defender Mark O'Brien INJURED 24 Midfield Jake Livermore (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur) 25 Striker Paul Dickov (on loan from Leicester City) 26 Midfield Lee Hendrie DOUBTFUL 27 Defender Fredrik Stoor (on loan from Fulham) INJURED 31 Striker James Vaughan (on loan from Everton) INJURED -- Midfield Reuben Zadkovich
What the Bookies think:
Home Win: 4/6 Draw: 5/2 Away win: 9/2 First Scorer: Jeremey Aliadiere 9/2, Leroy Lita 9/2, Rob Hulse 8/1
Information for travelling fans:
Driving:
It’s about 130 miles to Middlesbrough from Derby and about a 3 hour drive. Take the M1 North to the M18 then follow that to the junction with the A1. At Junction 49, take the A168 to the A19 to Middlesbrough. Pick up the A66. Carry on up the A66, through the centre of Middlesbrough and follow the signs for the Riverside.
Where to Drink:
Like Pride Park, the Riverside has a dearth of pubs in its immediate environment. Footballgroundguides.co.uk recommends drinking in the City centre and particularly at Doctor Browns on Corporation Rd, a 10 minute walk from the stadium. Despite it's reputation Middlesbrough is a fairly friendly place and you should have no trouble mixing as long as you behave yourself.
Parking:
Footballgroundguides.co.uk say that there are plenty of Private car parks alongside the river or failing that, parking in the Town Centre. They do warn that the traffic congestion may mean waits of up to 45 minutes after the game.
Mick's prediction:
It was a good fight back on Saturday and perhaps with a more sympathetic referee, the Rams might have snatched a victory against the Foxes. Probably undeserved but they all count.
Nigel Clough seems to be recognising that the two winger system doesn't work although he does seem to be particularly critical of Croft.
He points out the Croft did very little in the Leicester game but fails to mention that for a winger to be effective, they need to get the ball in the right position.
Savage and Livermore are not the right midfield to give Croft or Teale the ammunition they need to deliver the killer ball into the area. That lack of a ball winner and a passer in midfield seems to have been going on for several years now. Green may be the man if he's ever clear of injury. In the meantime we've got Robbie Savage.
I've never been a fan of Savage though I admit that he is a personable guy off-field and does seem to have the welfare of the club at heart - but he simply doesn't have the legs for 90 minutes at the heart of a Championship Midfield.
Until we solve that problem, we may continue to struggle against better organised opposition.
Mick's team:
Bywater, Connolly, Leacock, Barker, Moxey, Teale, Livermore, Savage, Croft, Dickov, Hulse
Subs: Buxton, Zadkovich, Commons, Hendrie … whoever is available!
Prediction:
Boro 1-1 Rams
Photo: Action Images
Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
You need to login in order to post your comments |