MIDDLESBROUGH PREVIEW

Last weekend was the tasty appetiser, but now for the main meal, as our attention turns to league action. 
It's the 'real' opening day, as we entertain Middlesbrough at Oakwell. 

It's been some 5 years since we kicked off our league campaign with a home fixture, and after the League Cup victory at Rochdale, it will be many supporters' first chance to assess Keith Hill's new-look squad. 

That victory at Spotland came at a cost. With Jim O'Brien's shoulder injury set to rule him out for at least 12 weeks. 
He joins Luke Steele, Toni Silva, Reuben Noble-Lazarus, and Mido on the treatment table. 

Also costly, is the suspension dished out to Ben Alnwick after his moment of stupidity last weekend, which left us without a recognised keeper. 
Academy graduate Lukas Lidakevicius is not deemed ready to step up yet, and so Hill went about recruiting an experienced keeper this week. And after his attempts to sign Carlo Nash were thwarted by Football League red tape, he acquired former Manchester City stopper David Gonzalez, on non-contract terms. 

Former Reds loanee Marlon Harewood also signed, as expected on a 12 month deal. The well-travelled frontman will add much needed competition up top, after the injury to Mido. 
Speaking of the Egyptian, he's been back running this week (allegedly), and used social network Twitter to tell us he'll be back in 3 weeks. Which is a bit different to the 3 months we were quoted by many sources just a week or so ago... 

We've also seen trialists Ibrahima Sonko, and Scott Hogan leave the club without contracts this week, whilst former Coventry City center half Martin Cranie pitched up on Grove Street to train with the lads. It's thought a deal for the lad is possible, but I can't imagine he'll be involved this weekend whatever happens. 

Martin Cranie

The club also met supporters this week. 

An 'Evening with Hillcroft' on Monday went down a treat with those who attended, as did the meeting on Wednesday evening with General Manager, Don Rowing. 

It's good to see club/fan relations improving, but it's what happens on the field of play that matters the most.....

THE OPPOSITION 

Formed in 1876, 'Boro' turned professional in 1899 and have only spent two seasons outside the top two tiers of English football. 

Their highest placed finish in The Football League was 3rd, in the old First Division, back in the 1913/14 season. 

They are one of the founding members of The FA Premier League. 

They play their home games at The Riverside, after leaving their former home of Ayresome Park in 1995. 

There is always the "are they a Yorkshire club?" debate, but in my opinion they aren't, certainly not in footballing terms anyway. 
Their main rivals are North East duo Newcastle United, and Sunderland. 

The club were close to folding in 1986 due to severe financial difficulties, but were thankfully saved by a consortium led by current Chairman, Steve Gibson. 

Middlesbrough were League Cup winners in 2004, which remains the club's only major trophy. 

They reached the 2006 UEFA Cup Final, but lost to Spanish outfit Sevilla. 

After an 11 year stay in the top flight, Boro were relegated in 2009. 

Notable former Boro players include:

Alf Common, George Camsell, Wilf Mannion, George Hardwick, Brian Clough, Tim Williamson, Jacky Carr, Bill Harris, Willie Maddren, David Armstrong, Nobby Stiles, John Craggs, Graeme Souness, Tony Mowbray, Stephen Pears, Gary Pallister, Bernie Slaven, Colin Cooper, Alan Kernaghan, Robbie Mustoe, Jamie Pollock, Curtis Fleming, Juninho, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Paul Ince, Gareth Southgate, Paul Gascoigne, George Boateng, Stewart Downing. 

Juninho

Paul Gascoigne

Brian Clough

I can't do a preview of Barnsley vs Middlesbrough, without mentioning a few players who have turned out for both clubs. Especially a certain trio.... 

JOHN HENDRIE was a Boro player from 1990 until he joined us in 1996. His arrival in October of that year was the final piece in the BFC promotion jigsaw. 

PAUL WILKINSON also joined the Reds that year, just a few months before 'Super John'. 
And 'Wilko' will always be remembered for scoring the crucial goal against Bradford City on the day we reached the promised land. 

CRAIG HIGNETT is the most talented footballer I've ever seen in a Tarn shirt. He may not be the true legend that the likes of Ronnie Glavin and Neil Redfearn undoubtedly are, but the magic of 'Merlin' had me spellbound throughout his 18 months at Oakwell. 

Quick mentions also for Arthur Kaye and David Currie. 

Hendrie

 

Wilkinson

Hignett

THE GAFFER 

Tony Mowbray

  
Former player, and Boro legend, Tony Mowbray returned to his roots as manager of the club in October 2010. 
After guiding the club to Championship safety, 'Mogga' began to rebuild his beloved side. 

Big name signings such as Kris Boyd were moved on, and youngsters were given their opportunity. The likes of Joe Bennett and Rhys Williams got their chance, as did returning striker Marvin Emnes. 

Last season started fantastically for Boro and Mowbray, where he won September's monthly managerial accolade, and they went unbeaten in the league right through until October. 

Poor form in 2012 (sound familiar?) cost them though, and a late run of victories wasn't enough to gain them a playoff place, as they finished just outside, in 7th place. 

The club have again looked to Mowbray to revamp the squad, and the signings of Grant Leadbitter, Jonathan Woodgate, Emmanuel Ledesma and Mustapha Carayol will give the supporters renewed optimism as this time they look to go one better, and at least be in the playoff mix in nine months time. 

THE FAN'S PERSPECTIVE 

As always here on 'Tarn Review' I like to gauge the feelings and thoughts of the opposing set of supporters, and so this week I popped across to the popular Middlesbrough forum 'oneBoro' and asked them a few questions about their club, manager, their hopes and fears, and of course us... 

Here's what they had to say.... 

 
Your hopes for the season as Boro fans?

"Would be disappointed to not at least reach the playoffs." 

"Better than last season." 

"Promotion." 

"We hope to at least be in the playoffs after finishing one place outside them last year. There is a huge amount of optimism around at the moment as we've managed to hold on to our more important players and signed a lot of decent players on the cheap including the return of the prodigal son, Woodgate." 

"Not expecting promotion, but would be disappointed if we can't make a genuine push for it. Finishing outside the top 6 would be an underachievement given the strides we've made under Mogga in the last couple of years." 

"Top 5 is a real chance this season." 

"Playoffs, I don't that's unrealistic." 

Your opinion of your manager? 

"Mogga....If I could swap my Dad for him, I would!" 

"Top notch." 

"Legend." 

"You'll not hear many Boro fans say a bad word about our Mogga. He was a legend as a player and he's done a solid job as a manager. Since he came in he has gotten rid of most of the dead weight we had around here, and halved the wage bill. He replaced these players with young, hungry players with a more attacking mindset. An odd time he plays players out of position and leaves substitutions too late in a match, but overall we wouldnt want anyone else in charge." 

"First Class. Having to work with a very tight budget after years of the club wasting money on under achieving players." 

A few thoughts on last season? 

"Not quite good enough." 

"Disappointing but encouraging." 

"Did well. Crumbled near the end, but Mogga did an excellent job with what he had to work with. In the end I think it's fair to say that, despite having a chance, our squad just wasn't quite good enough." 

"Started off brilliantly, unbeaten for I think the first 12 games. It went sour from then, before picking up again. It ultimately ended in disappointment, finishing one place outside the playoff spots having been around the top 3/4 the majority of the season. The main reasons for failing to make the playoffs were poor home form, lack of creativity in midfield and playing a split striker system which didn't suit out players."  

Your key player(s)? 

"If they stay fit, its Woodgate, Rhys Williams and Kevin Thomson for me. Marvin Emnes will have an important role to play as well, as he was our main goal getter last season, but was criticised a lot for his inconsistency and his inability to keep hold of the ball for much of the season. Lukas Jutkiewicz has also come in for a fair few quid by our standards in January, so expectations of him will be high as well. We also have 3 or 4 youngsters bursting onto the scene right now, so it'll be important that they get some game time too." 

"Rhys Williams is the star - the most obvious PL quality player. But Mogga is trying to create a team. So, all of them. I have been impressed with a lot of individual performances pre-season (both new signings and youngsters) and, though we're not quite there yet, they're playing some nice stuff and showing signs of gelling as a team already." 

"Rhys Williams, Ledesma, Juke, Steele, and most importantly THE FANS if they act up we can end up having a very bad season, in my opinion." 

"Emnes, Thomson, Bailey." 

Your fears? 

"The game after Barnsley.." 

"Injuries to key players." 

"The fact that our main striker from last season is so inconsistent, and that the attacking players we have brought in are mainly from lower divisions. Could go either way, although early signs are promising. Also, we have a few injury prone players, Thomson, Woodgate, Williams and a few others that could break down at any time." 

"None. Looking forward to a good season." 

Your thoughts on Barnsley? 

"I think you guys will be mid-table, not challenging for promotion but not threatened by relegation. I always thought the Mido deal will go one of two ways, it already looks like we know which path it'll follow. Harewood is a decent signing though (despite how much I dislike him), he'll grab you some goals." 

"Barnsley are a good side for what they get in terms of funding, reckon 13th for you guys and probably between 11th and 16th for the next decade or so. Seems a harsh judgement but to be fair the Championship is a great league and finishing safe in it for any team is a good result." 

"Relegation is a likely prospect if your club are relying on Mido and he is already injured before the season starts, now you have Harewood who is just a journeyman no heart in the club." 

"Hmm. Don't mean to be harsh, but I really can't imagine you'll be up at the right end of the table. Butterfield looked a class act, but now he is gone. You'll have nothing but trouble with Mido. Even if he stars in one or two games, that's the best you'll get out of him. And Harewood is a bumbling fool. But I doubt you'll get relegated. Predict that you'll finish 15th-18th, with very little realistic promotion hopes, but generally nestled fairly safely above the relegation zone. Will admit that I know nothing about your manager. Though I have nothing against your club whatsoever and hope you do well (just not in the first match)." 

Score prediction? 

"Boro 3-1." 

"If we are half as good as we were in the first half last year at your place, I'll be a happy bunny. Our attack and Robbo were unplayable that night." 

"Score draw." 

"Lots of goals for boro in preseason, and lots conceeded. Same with Barnsley if the cup game was anything to go by! Gonna go for a 1-3 win for Boro." 

"It won't be an easy game for Boro. Far from it. But we excel away from home. And we have the far superior team. A scrappy and tense first match of the season, but in the end I expect a close but deserved victory for Boro. 2-1." 

"2-0 to the Boro." 

I'd like to thank those Boro fans who took the time to help me out, and to wish them well on their journey down here Saturday. I hear they've sold out their initial allocation of tickets, so a decent atmosphere to kick off the league season would be nice. 

KEY MAN 

Marvin Emnes' pace could be key on Saturday

The fact is, Middlesbrough have a team full of players that could well turn out to prove key this weekend. 

Their goalkeeper, Jason Steele is highly rated. And I've always been impressed myself whenever I've seen young left back Joe Bennett. If he's on song down our right side, then we have to hope that Scott Wiseman is on his own game too. 

Rhys Williams has come through the youth setup at Boro, and as you can see from the supporters' opinions further up, he's a prize asset of theirs, and can operate either in midfield or defence. 

I've never been a fan of Grant Leadbitter over the years, but his track record is decent to be fair. And now I've said that I'd urge you all to lump on him for first goalscorer! 

New signings Emmanuel Ledesma, and Mustapha Carayol (once an Hillcroft target) have the creative element that Boro were often lacking last term, but as we at Oakwell are all too aware, it's a bit hard to suggest how they'll cope playing at this level. 

But the key man for them in my opinion, has to be their striker Marvin Emnes. 

He has great pace, and isn't bad at finishing either. 

Our center halves are well known for struggling against quick forwards who like to make runs out wide, and if we are to have any joy this Saturday then we'll need to be on our guard against Emnes. 

WHITEY'S FINAL THOUGHTS 

Having had my first real look at the Reds last weekend in Greater Manchester, I now feel more able to suggest a possible eleven of my own. 

This is how I'd line them up against Middlesbrough: 

I've got to be honest, otherwise what's the point? And unfortunately, I can't see us beating our opponents this weekend. 

I think a draw would be welcomed by most Tarn supporters, as I reckon there are far too many questions that are going to need time, to answer, with regards our starting lineup this season. 

The addition of another center half is imperative. Hopefully, Martin Cranie is that particular man. 

With Harewood back at Oakwell, he offers something we're lacking up top which is a target. 

I really like Craig Davies, and I've no doubt he's capable of bettering his 12 goal return from last term. But his hold-up play is still poor, and ball retention is key when playing the formation we do. 

Marlon will bring that to the party, but I think he'll be a substitute at best this Saturday afternoon. 

In the longer term, will Keith look to play two up front? Perhaps an Harewood/Davies partnership could work? 

And don't forget about Chris Dagnall, who showed last weekend that when presented with an opportunity he knows where the net is. 

Craig Davies celebrates his strike last weekend

Anyway, let's hope to see a decent crowd and atmosphere inside Oakwell come 3pm Saturday, really get behind the lads in what is a cracker of an opening day fixture. 

The vocal support we gave at Rochdale was first-class, and we ought to be replicating that at home, making Oakwell the fortress it will surely need to be this season if we want to retain our second tier status. 

Thanks for reading my preview, and remember, you can follow me 'HERE' on Twitter, where I'll keep you updated on any further articles. 

Up The Tarn!