 Friday, 14th Dec 2007 09:30 I wonder if the Boro fans will join in with Steve Bloomer’s watching? He’s a legend at both clubs after all! Derby County v Middlesbrough Given Middlesbrough's poor form this season and our fixture lists, many Derby fans have looked at this game as a 'must win' and winnable from as long as six weeks ago. All that changed when the Boro's eleven game streak without a win came to an end at the Riverside last week with a 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Arsenal. The result was far more emphatic than the scoreline suggests seeing as the Arsenal goal was only a last kick of the game consolation. If I'd have been a Boro player however, I wouldn't have tried to say that to Gareth Southgate. He was furious at conceding the late goal and it was obvious to any onlooker that the clean sheet was just as important to the former England defender as the win. Later however Southgate labelled the result as Boro's best performance of the season. He said; "We played very well here against Birmingham but the quality of Arsenal's team is there for all to see. Hopefully the players can see what they are capable of now. It's been quite depressing at times but we've tried to stay positive and one or two are starting to score goals now. But it's one afternoon and we have to be more consistent." Stewart Downing added a couple of interesting comments. He said: "Arsenal let you play a lot so we moved the ball quite well. We seem to play well against the top teams." That suggests to me that Derby need to get down and dirty so to speak though Boro are no mincing fairies when it comes to getting physical. With 38 yellow cards so far they top the Premiership bad boys’ league. Current Middlesbrough Squad No. Position Player Last 5 games Boro 1-1 Spurs Danger Men Stewart Downing: Top scorer Downing is a rare example of a naturally left sided midfielder. He was actually born and bred in Middlesbrough and is a product of the Youth Academy. He's scored 4 times this season including one from the spot last Sunday. He's very much a traditional winger - something you don't see a lot of these days - and he's not been a prolific goalscorer however his role is to supply the bullets for the strikers and he'll need to be marked by a player who can cope with such a player. Tuncay Þanlý: Þanlý scored the equalizer against Reading and the second goal last Sunday. Although he's happy playing up front, Þanlý can also play as a winger or in midfield. Gareth Southgate attributes his last two goals to his increasing confidence to his finally settling in to the Premiership. Tuncay is something of a hero in his native Turkey, gaining the nickname Cesur Yürek meaning Brave Heart from the Fenerbache faithful. The fact that he scored a hat-trick against Manchester United in the Champions league probably had something to do with it! Jeremie Aliadiere: The ex Arsenal striker signed in the summer. Like Stevie Howard, he's found goals difficult to come by this season scoring only once - also in a 4-1 reverse to Manchester United. At the time of writing only Mido & Mark Schwarzer are missing through injuries. Julio Arca may start the game after coming off the bench last Sunday. Chris Riggott seems to be out of favour at the moment which is a shame. If the rumours of his return to Derby last summer had been true, we might have conceded fewer goals than we have. The Rams Paul Jewell is up for this game. Jewell told BBC Radio Derby: “I came in two days before Sunderland and we were probably under prepared and the Man U game was always going to be difficult. But I've had a full week at it and we've got to get something.” That makes a change from Billy Davies claiming that we “didn’t have to win.” I wouldn’t knock Davies but there does seem to be a bit more of a team spirit in the last two games than so far this season under Davies. Last weekend was a case in point. Though we lost 4-1 and were pretty much outclassed (except as supporters) I left Old Trafford with a smile on my face and with a belief that we may not actually be the "Worst Premiership Team Ever". This game will probably be very tough. Boro have had a tough time so far this season however so have we. A poster on Popside.com probably got it right when he said that Boro have Premiership players who aren’t playing very well while we and Sunderland have Championship players who aren't performing. As far as we are concerned, I would narrow it down to two players who aren't performing at the level they should. Those players are Giles Barnes and Stephen Pearson. Hardly a week goes by without an article linking Giles with a big money move to West Ham or some other club. On his performances so far this season, you would be mystified as to why West Ham would be interested. His last good game was the play off final. Injuries haven't helped but there's a growing belief among fans that Giles is a little bit too big for his boots and needs to knuckle down now rather than wait for a big money move. Paul Jewell is ignoring the speculation. He believes that Giles needs to apply himself learn a lot more at Derby if he is to progress. He said; "Giles has got all the tools to do the job but he is a long way from fulfilling his potential - hopefully, he can do that here.” Stephen Pearson's loss of form is more alarming. Because he plays - or wants to play - in the centre of midfield, we need a lot more from him than he's given so far this season. He seems to run out of confidence early in a game and often ends up chasing the ball. His passing has become poor and he has a tendency to either take the safe option or loses the ball. He's a much better player than this as well. Sometimes a more direct approach is required. As Paul Jewell said after the game at Old Trafford: "We also passed it quite well at times in the second half but we haven't got that cutting edge." He was right of course. At one point, Pearson was the focal point of about 20 passes cheered by the Derby faithful - yet within 20 seconds of giving the ball away, Ronaldo was at the other end of the pitch conning the referee into giving him a penalty. Sometimes you just need to be more direct. There are no reported injury concerns for Paul Jewell. Andy Todd is reported to be back in training following his back problem. Mick's team: Bywater, Mears, Moore, Leacock, Davis, Griffin, Pearson, Oakley, Jones, Howard, Miller. What the bookies think William Hill has Middlesbrough as favourites at 7/5 while a Rams win will give you 8/5. The draw is at 21/10. Kenny Miller & Jeremie Aliadiere are the favourites to score at 5/2 while you can get 11/4 on Stevie Howard to follow up last week’s goal. Robert Earnshaw will get you 3/1 which is fairly generous for a man who spends most games warming the bench. Information for travelling fans Drinking: There are very few pubs very close to the ground but if you come by train, the locale around the station is fairly inviting. The Crown and Cushion at the junction of London Rd always seems to be full of away supporters. The Brunswick is a must for any real ale fans and the Alexandra next door is my personal favourite. Fans tend to mingle in these pubs and as long as you’re not being aggressive, the atmosphere is good. The Waterfall opposite the station is okay as well. If you are driving, the Navigation Pub on London Rd opposite the parking area is your best bet. Driving: Middlesbrough to Derby is 136 miles. The best route South is the A19/A1(M) South until the M18. Then take the M18 to the M1 and come off the M1 at J25 for Derby. Take Brian Clough Way (A52) towards Derby and then take ring road South. Follow the signs for away supporter parking to London Rd. Parking: It used to be at the old Wilmorten College site however that is now a building site/New houses so away fans should park at Catalyst on London Rd opposite the Navigation pub. It’s about 10-15 minutes from the ground. Don’t be tempted to park at Pride Park shopping centre unless you fancy being clamped. You can also park for a £5 at the hospital further up London Rd near the hospital and the Railway station. Mick’s Prediction Tough one to call. If we can build on the confidence of the last couple of games we may get something out of this. Conceed an early goal and with the crowd on their backs we may be in trouble. How this game goes will give a good indication of the rest of the season and what's likely to happen in the transfer window.
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