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Ali's Big Match Preview - Boro v Sunderland
By Alastair Brownlee September 21 2007
In the build up to the visit of local rivals Sunderland, the question most asked at the training ground this week has been ‘Are derbies still special?” And the answer from Boro's point of view has been a resounding yes! Jonathan Woodgate has rightly pointed at the number of local lads who will be in the Boro squad on Saturday
as a reason why the ninety minutes at the Riverside on Saturday are not just about collecting three Premier League points, but also local pride.

Boro go into the derby on the back of a 3-0 defeat at West Ham that could just as easily have ended as a 5-5 draw such were the number of chances wasted by both sides.

Nevertheless if we manage to create as many opportunities against Sunderland then we will need to add the vital ingredient of putting the ball into the back of the net.

Tuncay is clearly a player in need of his first goal and on another day at Upton Park the Turkish international alone could have scored four. Such was his disappointment that after the game he apologized to his teammates for his wasteful finishing.

Tuncay is a popular player in the dressing room and it sometimes takes a little time to settle into the different demands of the Premier League.

Gareth Southgate has been patient with Fabio Rochemback, who is now starting to show his true potential, and he will take just as much time as it needs to settle Tuncay into his new surroundings.

The comments from a so called “friend” of Tuncay’s stating that he was unhappy at Boro have rightly been dismissed as nonsense and I am just looking forward to his first goal celebration, hopefully, on Saturday.

Tuncay will certainly be needed, as the news that Jeremie Alliadiere will be missing for a few weeks with a hamstring injury is a blow to the young Frenchman who was man of the match in the last home game with Birmingham.

True, Jeremie has yet to open his account for Boro but his movement and pace clearly unsettle defenders and he will be missed.

Sunderland arrive at the Riverside for Roy Keene’s fiftieth game as boss of the Black Cats in good spirits after last weekends 2-1 win over Reading.

I only saw the highlights of the match but Kenwyne Jones not only scored on his home debut, but his overall play showed he could be the man to watch.

The form of the Wearsiders away from the Stadium of Light has been patchy to say the least as the last three games on their travels, including a Carling Cup exit at Luton, have all ended in defeat with a combined total of seven goals conceded and none scored.

It all adds up to what should be a good afternoon for Boro before testing away games at Spurs in the cup and then Everton and Manchester City in the Premier League.

Going back to Woody, I was delighted to hear the determination in his voice that he has come to Boro not to be complacent but to continue to improve and try and get the team back into Europe.

He firmly believes that the talent is in the squad to get us back into the UEFA Cup and that ambition can only be good for not only the rest of the players but the fans.

A lot has been made in both local and national media about the attendance against Birmingham with the impact of the empty seats but I think that not enough has been said about the fans that have turned up this season and have made it sound as if there was 30,000 plus in the stadium.

I can remember back to Ayresome Park when a crowd of 23,000 for a match against Birmingham would have been seen as an excellent crowd and I think it is important to put the size of the attendance set against our true catchment area.

Away from the build up to the derby the main talking point nationally has been Jose Mourinho’s departure from Chelsea.

I think that he will be badly missed as he certainly has added to the Premier League and I hope he stays and manages in this country. Afterall his last two visits to the Riverside have ended in defeat for the now not so “special one” and we could always do with some easy points!

Returning to the visit of Sunderland and I am often asked about my favourite Boro win over the Mackems.

My top choice is a 2-1 win at Ayresome Park back on Boxing Day 1973.

Sunderland were the FA Cup holders whilst Boro under Big Jack were top of Division Two and looking good for promotion.

It was tied at 1-1 until the final minute when Stuart Boam went forward for a corner at the East End and smashed the ball into the net for the winner.

Boamy ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate with the fans as we went wild in the Holgate End and that noise and excitement will hopefully be repeated on Saturday.

After the win over Sunderland don’t forget to join Bernie and I on Century FM on Sunday for Simply Red from 11am until 1pm.

Up for grabs, as always, is Sunday lunch for two at the Bluebell Hotel and we will be taking calls from Don Masson, Terry Cochrane, Neil Maddison and John Hendrie.

Remember you can join the fun by calling 08450021100 or sending a text to 85102.

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