Alves - Goal Scorer.

By Borofan - Football Network.
January 10 2009

The points were shared today at the Riverside when the Boro played local rivals Sunderland. A sensational 18 yard strike from Afonso Alves just before the stroke of half time perhaps looked to have sealed Boro's first win in eight league games, however in the 82nd minute a well placed David Healy cross fell for Kenwyne Jones who made no mistake from six yards slicing the ball into the net.

From this point on Boro were on the backfoot, and left a game they had the best of for the most part lucky to gain a point. Andy Reid's corner landed on the head of Carlos Edwards who sent it goalwards, and if not for Adam Johnson heeling the ball of the line Boro would have been beat. In the 4th minute of added time Cisse went for a clear run on goal after a Boro counter attack and it looked like McMahon would not be able to reach him in time if not for a superbly timed sliding tackle that kept Boro in the game in the final few seconds of play.

Notable was a fantastic performance from Stewart Downing, the source of much speculation after a denied transfer request concerning rejected bids from Tottenham Hotspur. The usual left-winger was given an unusual position in the centre played in behind lone striker Alves, and he rose to it well by not only playing the ball around brilliantly, but tracking back to break up play. Unfortunate injuries came to today to Josh Walker - who looked easily Boro's best player on the field before coming off injured in the 47th minute to be replaced by Adam Johnson, and Didier Digard who had to be replaced by defender Matthew Bates who was handed a role in front of the defence an unnatural position to him which he just about handled.

The harsh reality is we lie a mere point above the relegation zone, with Stoke below us playing currently, and we are nine games without a win. Saying that it is good to see Alves taking a Premiership goal after his two against Barrow last week. The crowd does not seem to have taken to Alves after his previously barren form but it is important that we get behind him when he is obviously a player of high quality when the right balls are played to him, and this is what has been lacking in many Premiership games for us this season - clear cut opportunities for the strikers. Whilst today was deemed a must-win game, next weeks away trip to West Brom is now all the more crucial.

All Even in Tees - Wear Derby.

Discussion started by Down by the Riverside (IP Logged), 10/01/2009 18:13

Down by the Riverside
10/01/2009 18:13

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Spirit of Steaua
10/01/2009 18:32

Great to see Alves score and Downing put in a good performance. We might just keep our best players - hope so. I was impressed with Walker and Digard as a midfield pairing. I hope they're both ready for West Brom.

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Spirit of Steaua
15/01/2009 16:31

Lawro has West Brom to beat us 2-0 on Saturday. I'd started to think he had a better understanding of the Boro than many of the national commentators who trot out the same old stuff. Hope he's wrong this time - 3-1 Boro with Alves to get at least one of them.

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