Billed as the must win match of all the must win matches, Boro v Blackburn was something of an anti-climax.
No one was fired, no one quit and no one won.
A tense atmosphere and a silent crowd (at one point it was so quiet I actually heard Santa Cruz coughing)in the first half gave way to an unstable mixture of loud cheers of encouragement and equally loud boos.
But we finally managed a clean sheet.
Brad Jones has always insisted that he cannot be judged adequately because he has not had a run in the team, I would argue that he has, in the past, not taken his chances. However, he performed well against Manchester United in the Carling Cup and he was nothing short of excellent today. Diving around acrobatically, making saves with his feet and head as well as punching the ball away and his usual fingertip technique. Most impressively he caught the ball mid air with both hands on several occasions. Not a big deal for most goal keepers but a monumental step forward for Jones!
And the local youngsters gave 100% for the fans and their manager.
Josh Walker returned. The little Geordie energiser bunny created a strong partnership with out-of-position Matty Bates, held the ball up, won headers against opponents almost twice his size, charged forward, encouraged his team mates, put in some lovely crosses and finally gave an honest assessment of the match in his post match interview. What can't the boy do? Well take corners actually! That was made abundantly clear today, so please don't let him.
Matty Bates was also a handful, his tackling is good, his tracking back benefits from his regular defensive role and he too has the confidence to surge forward. Unfairly battling both the Blackburn players and a section of the Boro fans who were on his back, Bates did well and not just for a defender playing in midfield, he is probably better than fifty percent of our actual midfielders. Worrying for the club, but a compliment to his talent and determination.
Adam Johnson was the main threat against Rovers' and identified as such early on, was constantly babysat by two big Blackburn players. He got well and truly flattened by some of Rovers' rough boys but if he wants to maximise his potential he needs to built himself up because that is what is lacking from his game.
But it wasn't just the youngsters who stepped up their game. I have always been fairly critical of Robert Huth, mostly because I do not think he plays consistently enough to justify his £6 million price tag. I have also been known to question his commitment. But not today.
The big German made himself a nemesis in Blackburn's wantaway striker Roque Santa Cruz. Roque v Huth was irresistibly reminiscent of Rocky v Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV. Santa Cruz as a more intelligent and prettier version of Sly with Huth as a German rather than Russian emotionless Ivan Drago. All brute strength and ability. But this time Drago won. Santa Cruz moaned at Huth, Riggot and the ref to no avail and Huth did his job extremely effectively.
Tuncay on the other hand was a massive disappointment. He was truly dreadful today, every time he got the ball he either lost it or took it in the wrong direction. And then lost it.
There is still something wrong with the attitude of some of Boro's players. Whether they do not respect Southgate or if their egos just outweigh their talent is debatable but despite Mido's departure I do not think we have a harmonious dressing- room.
Coming out of the club shop at twenty five to three I was surprised and frankly disgusted to watch Marlon King and Afonso Alves leisurely stroll into the Stadium. Is warm-up now optional at the Boro?!
King started as our lone striker again with Tuncay just behind him. Later both gave way to Emnes and Alves. Emnes has transformed himself into a decent footballer, while Alves is better than he was a last month. None of them scored and none of them created any chances.
As Stoke managed a win over Man City, we have to do the same. Despite their billions, City have not found the magic formula yet and with the return of Didier Digard and a plethora of defensive option, Boro must force a win, keep up the tempo (we are far better when we speed things up but we are always trying to slow the game down for some reason) and attack attack attack. Did you hear me there? yes I said ATTACK! It is the best form of defence and it is our Premier League status we are defending.
First published on www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/fanzone - Jan 09
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