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:
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