Where Will Boro Goals Come From?

Last updated : 08 February 2009 By Boro Mad

Good goalkeeping from Shay Given, or poor finishing?

I think former England striker, David Platt, said it all: "Shay stood large and did his job, but let's face it, he hardly moved did he? Alves placed the ball straight at him, at least make the goalkeeper work."

Alves, as we all know, blows hot and cold.

We have never really seen the best of him, and he certainly is a concern as we look for smeone to put the ball in the net.

But we should be looking elsewhere for goals, and Stewart Downing hasn't scored a league goal term, despite scoring nine last season.

Didier Digard and Gary O'Neil were back on Saturday, although one replaced the other after an hour, and did a commendable job.

But the lack of inspiration is lacking.

Someone to unlock the door with a piece of magic, and you would expect Alves to be the man to do it.

Adam Johnson was the man who caused the City defence to panic, but we are lacking the link man to get the best out of him.

The midfield held its shape when we were under the cosh, but they lack the confidence to go for the juggular when the strikers need backing.

Digard has been outstanding this season and worth his salt, but we need more from others.

Tuncay has been quiet of late, and we need more from the Turkish if we are to get out of the mess.

We had an e-mail this week: "Why did we pay 6 million for Mido then loan him out?

"He scored nearly everytime he set foot on the pitch for us!

"Doesn't make sense at the moment as we need a goalscorer."

Mido obviously had his problems with Southgate, and wanted to get away.

Was Southgate right to let him go? Well I think we all know there was a major problem with the Egypian's attitude and commitment ... or lack of it.

The Boro boss believes Marlon King has more commitment, but is he as good as Mido? Only time will tell.

MIDDLESBROUGH 2008/09

MAN CITY 1 BORO 0
Jones, Wheater, Riggott (Hoyte 68), Huth, Pogatetz, Adam Johnson (Sanli 74), Bates, Digard (O'Neil 60), Downing, Alves, King.

Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Emnes, Shawky, Arca.

BORO 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 0
Jones, Wheater, Riggott, Huth, Pogatetz,Adam Johnson, Bates, Walker, Downing, King (Emnes 65),Sanli (Alves 65).

Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Hoyte, Shawky, Arca, McMahon.

CHELSEA 2 BORO 0
Turnbull, McMahon, Wheater, Riggott, Pogatetz,Adam Johnson, O'Neil, Shawky (Sanli 64), Bates, Downing,King (Alves 64).

Subs Not Used: Jones, Taylor, Emnes, Huth, Arca.

(FA Cup 4th Rd) WOLVES 1 BORO 2 (Alves 44, Emnes 83)

Jones, Bates, Wheater, Riggott,Taylor (McMahon 7), O'Neil, Sanli, Shawky (Hoyte 46),Adam Johnson, Downing, Alves (Emnes 70).

Subs Not Used: Porritt, Bennett, Turnbull, Craddock.

WEST BROM 3 BORO 0
Turnbull, McMahon (Bates 70), Wheater, Riggott (Huth 36), Taylor, O'Neil (Mido 57), Digard, Shawky, Downing, Sanli, Alves.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Emnes, Adam Johnson, Bennett.

BORO 1 SUNDERLAND 1 (Alves 45)
Turnbull, McMahon, Riggott, Wheater, Pogatetz,Sanli, Digard (Bates 65), Walker (Johnson 47), Arca, Downing,Alves (Mido 86).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Taylor, Emnes, Huth.

(FA Cup 3rd Rd) BORO 2 BARROW 1 (Alves 23, 62)
Jones, McMahon, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, Johnson, Walker, Digard, Downing, Alves, Aliadiere (Emnes 34), Emnes (Mido 84).

Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Taylor, Riggott, Sanli, Bates.

MAN UTD 1 BORO 0
Turnbull, Bates, Riggott, Wheater, Pogatetz, Aliadiere (Emnes 76), O'Neil, Arca, Downing, Sanli, Alves.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Taylor, Huth, Shawky, Porritt, Walker.

BORO 0 EVERTON 1
Turnbull, McMahon, Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor, Aliadiere (Johnson 70), O'Neil (Emnes 85), Arca, Downing,Sanli (Alves 54), Mido.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Huth, Wheater, Walker.

FULHAM 3 BORO 0
Turnbull, McMahon, Riggott, Huth (Taylor 85), Pogatetz, Johnson (Emnes 80), Shawky, Arca (Mido 46), Downing, Aliadiere, Sanli.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Alves, Wheater, Walker.

BORO 1 ARSENAL 1 (Aliadiere 29)
Turnbull, McMahon, Riggott, Huth, Pogatetz,Johnson (Emnes 90), Digard (Shawky 90), Arca, Downing, Sanli,Aliadiere.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Alves, Bates, Hines, Grounds.

HULL CITY 2 BORO 1 (Sanli 79)
Turnbull, Hoyte, Wheater, Pogatetz, Taylor,Aliadiere, Arca, Digard (Hines 87), Downing, Sanli, Alves.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Emnes, Johnson, McMahon, Grounds, Walker.

BORO 0 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
Turnbull, Hoyte, Wheater, Pogatetz, Taylor,Aliadiere (Mido 77), Arca, Digard, Downing, Sanli, Alves.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Emnes, Johnson, Hines, Grounds, Walker.

BORO 1 BOLTON 3 (Pogatetz 77)
Turnbull, Hoyte, Wheater, Pogatetz,Taylor (Arca 76), Aliadiere (Adam Johnson 58), O'Neil, Digard,Downing, Alves (Emnes 75), Sanli.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Hines, Grounds, Walker.

EVERTON 1 BORO 1 (O'Neil 8)
Turnbull, Hoyte, Riggott (Wheater 52), Pogatetz, Taylor, O'Neil, Digard, Arca (Adam Johnson 69), Downing,Alves (Emnes 84), Sanli.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Franks, Grounds, Walker.

ASTON VILLA 1 BORO 2 (Sanli 34, 88)
Turnbull, Hoyte, Pogatetz, Riggott, Taylor,Aliadiere, Digard, O'Neil, Downing, Sanli, Alves (Arca 83).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Emnes, Adam Johnson, Wheater, Grounds, Walker.

BORO 1 WEST HAM 1 (Mido 83)
Turnbull, Wheater (Hoyte 46), Riggott, Pogatetz,Taylor, Aliadiere, O'Neil, Digard (Arca 56), Downing, Sanli,Alves (Mido 67).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Emnes, Adam Johnson, Grounds.

BORO 2 MAN CITY 0 (Alves 53 pen, O'Neil 90)
Turnbull, Wheater, Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor,Aliadiere, O'Neil, Digard (Arca 75), Downing (Adam Johnson 83),Sanli, Alves.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Emnes, John Johnson, Grounds, Walker.

BLACKBURN 1 BORO 1 (Alves 74)
Turnbull, Wheater, Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor, Aliadiere, O'Neil, Digard, Downing, Alves, Sanli (Emnes 85).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Shawky, Adam Johnson, John Johnson, Grounds.

BORO 0 CHELSEA 5
Turnbull, Grounds (John Johnson 54), Wheater,Riggott, Taylor, Aliadiere, Shawky (Digard 65), O'Neil,Adam Johnson (Alves 65), Downing, Mido.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Emnes, Bennett, Walker.

WIGAN 0 BORO 1 (Aliadiere 89)
Turnbull, Hoyte, Wheater, Riggott, Grounds, Aliadiere, O'Neil, Shawky (Digard 58), Downing, Alves (Adam Johnson 79), Mido.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Emnes, John Johnson, Walker, Craddock.

BORO 0 WEST BROM 1
Turnbull, Hoyte, Huth, Wheater, Taylor, Aliadiere (Adam Johnson 60), O'Neil, Shawky (Digard 60), Downing, Alves, Mido.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Riggott, Emnes, Bennett, Walker.

Carling Cup MAN UTD 3 BORO 1 (Adam Johnson 56)
Jones, Hoyte, Wheater, Pogatetz, Taylor,Downing, Digard (Riggott 72), O'Neil, Shawky (Adam Johnson 46),Aliadiere, Alves (Emnes 85).
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Arca, Walker, Craddock.

SUNDERLAND 2 BORO 0
Turnbull, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, Taylor,Aliadiere, O'Neil, Digard (Shawky 68), Downing,Adam Johnson (Hoyte 68), Alves.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Riggott, Arca, Walker.

PORTSMOUTH 2 BORO 1 (Mido 24)
Turnbull, Hoyte, Huth, Riggott, Pogatetz,Aliadiere, O'Neil, Digard (Taylor 70), Downing, Alves,Mido (Adam Johnson 84).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Wheater, Porritt, Walker, Craddock.

BORO 2 STOKE CITY 1 (Alves 37, Sanli 85)
Turnbull, Hoyte (Taylor 72), Wheater, Huth,Pogatetz, Aliadiere, Shawky (Digard 61), O'Neil, Downing,Alves (Mido 76), Sanli.
Subs Not Used: Steele, Riggott, Emnes, Adam Johnson.

Carling Cup BORO 5 YEOVIL 1 (Mido 11, Digard 23, Aliadiere 32, Emnes 47, Adam Johnson 66)
Turnbull, Hoyte, Riggott,Pogatetz (Williams 74), Grounds, Aliadiere (O'Neil 60), Digard,Shawky (Walker 60), Adam Johnson, Emnes, Mido.
Subs Not Used: Steele, Downing, Sanli, Alves.

LIVERPOOL 2 BORO 1 (Mido 70)
Turnbull, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz,Taylor (Hoyte 75), Aliadiere, O'Neil, Shawky, Downing,Alves (Mido 60), Sanli (Digard 87).
Subs Not Used: Emnes, Adam Johnson, Williams.

BORO 2 SPURS 1 (Wheater 71, Mido 86)
Jones, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, Taylor, Aliadiere, Shawky, O'Neil, Downing, Alves (Mido 82), Sanli (Digard 72).
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Emnes, Adam Johnson, Williams, Grounds.