This game is a tough openener for both sides and neither have the best record when it comes to opening day fixtures.
The match see’s the return of Jonathan Woodgate to his hometown club and it will be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets whereas for the Boro Mido could play a part against the side we signed him from last season.
Vital Quotes:
Stewart Downing told the Evening Gazette: “You`ve got to start well, warned Downing. “Look what happened to Spurs last season, they didn`t start well and after that they couldn`t get their season going. We were a little bit indifferent early on last year but we finished quite well.
“We definitely have to start well tomorrow, every point is crucial in the league. Spurs at home and Liverpool away next week are massive games and if we can get something out of them it would be brilliant.
Ledley King told Tottenhamhotspur.com: ‘In previous years we’ve had good pre-seasons and not started that well when it matters, so our focus is on the start of the season and getting three points at Middlesbrough.
‘Any first game of the season is tough, especially away from home. Middlesbrough will be up for it, their fans will be right behind them and we’ll have to be at our best to get anything out of it.
Boro Team News:
Boro look unlikely to have Justin Hoyte in the squad in time so Rhys Williams may be selected ahead off Tony McMahon to start at right-back. Southgate will have to decide on who his number 1 is tommorrow, the decision will be between Ross Turnbull and Brad Jones.
Julio Arca and Chris Riggott are the only players unavailable.
Player to watch: Didier Digard
The midfield battle will be very tough with the likes of Modric and Bentley in there for Spurs. Digard will be the key man in there for Boro as he will have the responsibility of getting the ball and playing it simple to the Boro attack. His tough tackling and athletic ability will be severely tested.
Spurs Team News:
Spurs have just about got a full squad to choose from with Alan Hutton the only player missing. He is sidelined with a foot injury.
Their new signings; Modric, Bentley, Dos Santos and Gomes should all play a part whilst Ledley King will be hoping to kick-off the season and stay injury free.
Player to watch: David Bentley
On his day he can give any full-back a hard time and tommorrow he will be key to Spurs with his creativity, dribbling skills and crossing ability. Boro’s full backs will have to be on top of their game to stop him.
Match Facts & Stats
There could be 7 league debuts tommorrow with Williams, Digard and Emnes all hoping to play a part for Boro. Gomes, Dos Santos, Modric and Bentley are the possible debutants for Spurs.
Jonathan Woodgate returns to face his hometown club and if selected, Michael Dawson will make his 100th appearance in a Spurs shirt.
Ref Watch:
Martin Atkinson – Yorkshire
Match Prediction:
Boro to win 2-1. this wil no doubt be a very hard game for both sides but i think Boro will just edge it by coming out on top in the midfield battle – we have the players to win the ball and keep it.
Next Fixtures:
Boro – Away to Liverpool 23/08/08
Spurs – Home to Sunderland 23/08/08
Our midfield line-up will be interesting to see. Also, I have no clue who will partner Alves up front!?!
2-1 prediction, you think your midfield will come out on top against Dos Santos, Modric, Jenas and Bentley!
Faceman_yid. There is no out and out defensive midfielder in the 4 you have just named – Jenas isnt a defensive midfielder.
marron maybe not but modric and jenas can both tackle and might be able to control the game by keeping the ball eh
also i got lulled into thinking we were playing barca or someone after hearing southgate,jeez that bloke certainly talks the talk,were see if you walk the walk.
There will be some good little battles across the park tomorrow. Alves and Woodgate, Downing and Zakora, Wheater and Bent. The one I will be looking forward to the most is Digard and Modric!
mate we do not need a defensive midfielder really, both modric and jenas can tackle but more importantly can keep the ball. I think the key tomorrow will be midelsboro’s full backs and how they will cope with dos santos and bentley. looking forward to seeing if bent can keep up his scoring record, do you have anyone with pace at the back??
Huth and Wheater are both very fast. Very deceptive because of their height but once they get into their stride they can catch most.
huth and whether and slow compared with bent…do santos will rip any of your reserve right backs, your centre mids are shockin this digard guy is not a ptch on modric who has already proved to be a good player, downing wnt have the pace to get by zokora, alves is good but king will have him back pocket…anything but 3 points is like a defeat!
I dont like to predict, as this can lead to egg on the face! but how you see Middlesbro winning the midfield battle is beyond me! we have around 60m pounds worth of talent lining up in MIDFIELD alone tomorrow!! like i said i wont predict, i have alot of respect for Boro but im quietly confident.
I think we will win the midfield battle because with O’Neil and Digard we have people who will win the ball whereas you are just banking on keeping it for 90 minutes……….which aint gonna happen!
Downing no pace.. what planet are you on?!!
marron we have as good midfield as Arsenals, so do you think you will win that battle? plus Modric & Jenas are great ball winners, also there is two sides to winning a midfield battle, you wont be able to retain possesion as good as us, effectivly not having as much possesion = Spurs winning the battle?
marron-like your manager you certainly talk the talk,o’neil aint no more a ball winner than jj and no offence(he could be good)i’ve never even heard of digard so hmmmm,as for keeping the ball for 90 mins of course not, but if we do a lot more than you then it will be us controlling the game and therefore you wouldn’t of won the midfield battle would you?.Just want the talk to stop and the game to start now and we will all see.
GOD ive missed this!! Football season banter!! cant wait for Saturday!!
DazzaTHFc – we got 4 points off Arsenal last year and beat them at home so not the best example. Parldanbert – I too want the game to come around as quick as possible as then we will all see what both teams can offer.
i cant believe how deluded these boro fans on here are. You have no chance against us tomorrow. We could just play our midfield and would still beat you. Digard and O’neil who are you kidding against modric and jenas come on take your rose tinted glasses off and take a proper look at your team. The only players im worried about are Downing who will want to prove a point and Alves who i think is a world class striker but i think king and woodgate will look after him. We will have no problems disposing of the boro tomorrow we will win 0 – 3 with bent scoring 2 and jenas scoring the other.
oh and when was the last time you beat us home or away hahahahahahahahaha
marron -whats the low down on digard?I mean at the end of the season was you saying “I really hope we sign Digard”?don’t get me wrong he could be a real gem,but last pre season we signed kaboul and prince boatang,1 being the france u21 capt and 1 the best young player from germany and before it all started for real(including pre season) all spurs fans thought they were great as the unknown brings out the optimist in all fans,do you really think he’s gonna be great? or are you just optimistic?
Digard has been our best player in pre-season in my opinion. He plays the same position as Boateng but is alot more athletic, making runs forward, tough tackling and plays the simple passes. Only time will tell if he can adapt to the Premiership but he certainly has the ability to. [Edited by marron17]