With the current climate of managers moaning at other clubs playing styles and chairmen looking bamboozled at the current accounts it’s time to get down to why they are all there in the first place.  To play 11 v 11 and hope for the best.  Something to which Bryan Robson couldn’t manage to do in a particular game against Blackburn all those years ago.  These days Gareth can’t reach the full allocated 18 at times but now the super-speed crystal ball could now turn in our favour and lets hope it can continue against Villa.

Lets be honest Villa must be well and truly pissed off at getting beat by the Geordies on Monday and know I would be, so they will want to make amends to their fans especially with them being at home.  A poor run of form is a big no no as the league table shows.  Brilliant we are 8^th!  I’d take that now but 3 points from the drop sounds and looks more damming so its vital we distance ourselves from that, whether we can or not remains to be seen, finishing games off would be nice. 

It’s really good to see Arca and Mido make their return, they changed the game dramatically last Saturday and we need to make sure we show spirit and commitment from the beginning as they seemed to inject a bit of passion and flair that was much needed for the game. 

We also say hi to Luke Young who left in the summer.  Speaking of right backs Justin Hoyte will be now fully ready.  What he does with the back four tomorrow I’m not sure but maybe to keep John Carew quiet he may be tempted with 3 centre backs. 

Obviously Alves and Tuncay get the nod up front but please on this occasion bring on Mido earlier due to the possible circumstances. 

Boro line up

Turnbull, Wheater, Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor, Aliadiere, O’Neil, Digard, Downing, Tuncay and Alves

Villa

Freidel, Young, Cuellar, Laursen, Shorey, Barry, Reo-coker, Petrov Young, Agbonlahor and Carew.

We’ve had over the past 2 seasons a 1-1 draw at Villa Park and if providing we win tomorrow I would happily take that now!

Come on Boro!