Stuart Downing can provide the ammo for Boro
I can never understand why the Geordies and the Mackems are the subject of so much publicity in this country.
Let's look at some facts. Pundits are now predicting Newcastle to finish in the top six and Sunderland to be the "surprise package this season," and Boro to struggle. They spout the same thing every year, and are they ever right? Well, No. The simple fact is that last season, Boro finished higher than Newcastle. The last north east club to win anything was, yes, Boro – with the Carling Cup.
Boro also made it to a Euro Final, which the other clubs can not boast. No doubt they will say that they have won the league and FA cup etc, but not in this century they haven't.
Newcastle have only bought players who are injured, and as for Boro missing Viduka, I think not. He was missing for most of the first half of last season, and only really started contributing around Xmas. Then at times he was out injured. I don’t think Boro will miss him, after all, we have an abundance of pace up front now, which Viduka could never give us.
In Aliadiere and Dong-Gook Lee, we have 2 of the fastest players in the league, along with Sanli, Yakubu and Downing, we have quite a potent attack, and with Woodgate, Huth, Pogatetz and Young at the back, we have a strong defence (the Geordies can only dream of this). Boro's weakness this season, is as last season, the midfield. Boateng is too old and lacks pace, Rochemback is the worst top flight footballer I have seen since, well Alan Wright (when he played for Boro and we lost 4-0 to Arsenal - he wins my award for worst ever player)
The attackers at Boro are gonna have to help out the midfield, and if they do, we could do really well.
I don’t think Newcastle will finish above Boro, and I think Sunderland, albeit with their new goalkeeper will still go down, they lack enough outfield quality to make a difference. I would love to get a top ten league placing and meet Newcastle in the FA Cup Final and thrash them, and we at the Boro can then sing we are the best north east team for another year.
13th August 2007
