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
cant wait for the keep ball and the slick passing moves! were gonna play the tottenham way and i cant **** wait! …arshavin signing tonight will be the cherry on top of the cake! : )
6-0???
Modric is far and away more proven,he didn’t struggle against lampard/gerrard against England did he?or in the euros?and is generally a well known player,obviously there is a risk with all players but he has proven his class has diggard?I think you took it as a diss when it was a gen question! KPB and kaboul looked good pre season for us too but when the real business started they were poor.Sorry if I burst your bubble as you obviously hold him in very high regard to compare him to Modric,we will see
lol digard weighed up against modric hahahahahahahaha come off it if modric was compared to a rolls royce then digard would a mini metro they are worlds apart and he will prove it tomorrow. Faceman_yid 6 – 0 i say that would put us top of the table on GD and boro bottom lol bent to score hatrick and jenas to score with dos santos and bentley COYS
Hopefully Mad Dog Pogatetz will break a Spurs leg or 2 – wouldnt that be lovely 😉
Boro played **** games in pre season against really poor sides anthony gardner would look good against them sides also lol
Pogatetz you are embarrassing yourself by even mentioning these names if you were to put up any sort of argument then you should be mentioning Downing and Alves what is a matter with you boro fans. lol
Anyways, wheres the match preview on Vital Spurs?
marron-pogatetz,forgot about him maybe a red card there waiting to happen….
Actullay, he has calmed down alot since he first came over.
dont even talk about Vital spurs we have a bigger fan base on the than what you can fit into the riverside lol and as we are on the subject is there only 2 boro fans on here or are you the only one Marron
marron there was a question/answer thing on there with a boro fan.I aint gonna get into any barneys with ya,have no probs with boro and genuinely wish you well(after our game). phil calm down mate 6-0 get a grip mate!
Boro fans are at work (like i will be at 4pm) unlike your lot who have the 6 weeks off.
Parldanebert – a few of you seem alright but the rest are just pplain stupid. You are in the first of the 2 😉
parklanebert i never mentioned 6 – 0 mate it was facemanyid and im a true spurs fan and i love having banter with all the side we play just unlucky that it will be boro first coz they are gonna feel the full force of the ramos revolution COYS oh and parklanebert grow some balls
and im at work im just in the lucky few that get paid to write on here at the same time lol
Any coming up tommorrow as part of the 3,800?
Lucky bugger, at our work there is a block on this site!
lol that is very unlucky as we could of carried this banter on lol
And yes Marron i will be attending at the riverside tomorrow i will set off around 10 this evening just to make sure im there on time probably see ya there
I think you have the whole south stand to yourselves, or most it anyways to get the 3,800 in.