Are We "Too Good" To Go Down?

I have heard the phrase far too many times in the past. Leeds United, Nottingham forest, Sheffield Wednesday were all easily too good to go down but suffered the agony.

We were "too good" to go down last time around, however this time is different. Looking at the commitment levels of the players in Saturdays Derby against Sunderland and the quality that we possess throughout the squad we will have enough. I think Luke Young has hit the nail on the head by saying we need to adopt the "McClaren red zone" again, not switching off during key periods of the game as we have done in at least 5-6 games this season that have cost us points.

Lets get Saturday over with and get 3 points, then we can start to build on next season and enable the supporters to have a 'party atmosphere` against Manchester City in the last game.

Ok, the season has once again fallen below our expectation levels, but once again we have had the "big boys" on the back foot and in all fairness we should have beaten, Chelsea away, Arsenal away, Spurs away and Manchester United at home. Out of those 12 points we came away with 3 points and praise from pundits all over the country.

To hear Alan McInally tell the nation on Sky Sports that Middlesbrough were, "by far the best team outside the top four", made me very proud and is further proof we are heading in the right direction.

If we can add to the squad in the summer and leave James Beattie out of the equation there is lots to look forward to next season. Tuncay and Afonso Alves will be better for their experiences this season, Luke Young seems to be improving all the time and in Emanuel Pogatetz and David Wheater have a very strong back line.

Gregory Coupet or Jussi Jaaskelainen would be welcome additions to the squad, as would Marcus Senna from Villareal. With our new scouting team I am confident we will buy the right players this time around.

I still think one more striker up front would do us no harm and reports surfacing again of Diego Forlan or Wagner Love will do the club no harm and have everyone on their toes.

Here`s looking forward to Saturday!



Anthony Ward