The title references an overdue nod to the inspiration for this debutante Boro/footie blog. Middlesbrough FC will be the primary focus, but we’ll also frequently include updates, links, and commentary on other happenings in the English Premier League and developments around the continent. Happening today:
Boro Stem the Road Rot
04 Oct – JJB Staduim – Wigan, Lancashire
Nearly 10 months since a proper result away from County Durham…4 losses on the bounce, including a disheartening defeat at Fortress Riverside to top flight new boys West Brom. A recharged and in-form Wigan side still bouncing from a 2-1 win over Abu Dhabi Cit-eh. Prospects were grim for Boro, with the international break looming to ruminate over predictable missed opportunities and lapses of concentration; Chelsea on the other side of that interval…a result was in dire order.
Injuries continued to haunt our already thin side; Robert Huth out with leg knack, hip gah for Andrew Taylor. Compounded by the suspension to Emmanuel Pogatetz, Gate summoned an early loan return from Jonathan Grounds to fill out a makeshift backline. Their graft would be needed to deal with Egyptian international Amr Zaki and the resurgent Emile Heskey forming a burgeoning partnership for the Latics.
For the first 20 minutes the Wigan bulls up front pressed Boro, creating chances and magnifying our deficiencies. Boro’s attack was anonymous with Afonso Alves and Mido bereft of any midfield service or support from the flanks. Zaki left little doubt to as why he was rated as one of the worlds top rated strikers for reigning African Cup champs Egypt and club side El Zamalek. Wilson Palacios peppered Ross Turnbull’s goal with tame efforts. Stockton born Lee Cattermole was exerting himself against his boyhood side, desperate to signal to Gate and Gibbo that a lack of confidence in his ability to marshall the Boro midfield was an incorrect inclination. Still, at the break it was 0-0, with Wigan shining brighter and Boro clutching on. A decent shout for a penalty for the Boro on 31 minutes fell on deaf ears as Chris Riggott was felled by Titus Bramble in the box during a Gary O’Neill corner.
The second half started more tame; a few odd chances for the Boro, but with Alves on his own up top and Mido barreling around midfield as a rover, Boro resorted to Stoke tactics, hoofing the ball upfield awaiting a breakdown at the Wigan backline. Ross Turnbull called into duty more and more due to intrusion from the Welsh international sub Jason Koumas…Emile Heskey with a gilt edged chance, blocked successfully by David Wheater…Henri Camara denied by an onrushing Turnbull. Another penalty shout for the Boro as Paul Scharner incredulously trapped a ball in the box with his upper body. Referee Martin Atkinson was unfazed. This was gearing towards a draw inside 10 mins left…a point Boro and the support would gladly snatch. But as the added time was anticipated, substitute Didier Digard offered the best service of the match for the away side, a lollipop into the box from the right, nodded down by Stewart Downing, controlled by Jeramie Aliadiere, who shook his marker and fired past a helpless Chris Kirkland. That. Was. Absolutely. Huge. GOAL for the Boro. The away support rewarded for their jaunt across the Pennines. Boro were able to avert past last minute disasters and disappointments by controlling the injury time to complete what Wigan gaffer Steve Bruce termed ‘a mugging’.
Undeserved away wins. The absolute best kind. Boro sails. Gate offers an animated series of fist pumps to the away support, and I’m sure the Red contingent watching from all corners of the globe. Good sides win ugly…
Disclaimer…the eye to a Guardian style comprehensive minute by minute coverage was derailed at the break by lunch (a lovely proscuitto and roasted peppers on a demi baguette). And the post-match fag was the tastiest of the day!
Back with more during the week…news on England/Kazakhstan and other WCQs, fallout from a huge EPL Sunday, the Barca tonking of Atletico Madrid 6-1 and more La Liga…
October 5th, 2008 @ BA
0