Aitor Karanka believes that tonight’s planned tribute for
BBC Tees commentator Ali Brownlee can be a ‘good motivation for the team’
Brownlee tragically passed away last Monday just months
after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. Since then thousands of fans have
gathered outside the Riverside to pay their respects to the much-loved
commentator, who was known as the ‘Voice of the Boro’ for 34 years.
Tonight’s game at home to Cardiff will be the first at the
Riverside since Brownlee’s passing, and Karanka hopes that the team can respond
after a run of five league games without
a win.
‘The only thing we can do is say thanks’ said the Boro boss.
‘Everything we can do is not enough for him (Brownlee), we had an ambition to get to the
Premier League and now it is even bigger’.
Karanka also expressed that his team’s week break in Marbella,
due to not being involved in the FA Cup, has given the side a beneficial break
and allowed the new signings to settle into the squad.
‘In January we had a few changes to the team and for that
reason I wanted to work with them, sometimes it’s difficult here with the
weather but we worked really well and for that reason I am really pleased’.
Team News
Karanka remained tight-lipped on fitness of defenders George
Friend and Daniel Ayala, but confirmed that if they were not 100% fit he had players
who could replace them.
That would be a wise decision considering Boro’s packed fixture
list which sees them play eight games in April alone.
With that in mind 18-year-old Dael Fry could make his second
successive start, after impressing in the centre back position at Leeds. However won’t
partner Ben Gibson, who was sent off at Eland Road after picking up two yellow
cards.
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| Dael Fry could make his second successive start (Picture from www.mfc.co.uk) |
Cardiff midfielder Craig Noone has missed the last few weeks
with a chest injury, while centre back Sean Morrison has been out for over a
month. However he could be back in contention for his first start since December.
The Opposition
Cardiff appear to have put themselves back in contention for
a play-off place following a resounding 4-1 victory over Brighton on Saturday.
They haven’t lost in their last six games, three of which
were draws, and for the first time they are showing real signs of progress
under manager Russell Slade.
They don’t have a prolific goal scorer. Midfielder Anthony
Pilkington has their highest total, with six for the campaign and their goals
have been spread throughout the team.
One To Watch
Peter Whittingham
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| Cardiff's Peter Whittingham (Picture from i3.walesonline.co.uk) |
The English midfielder has been a great servant for Cardiff
ever since he signed for the Bluebirds back in 2007.
He has always been a threat from set plays and in Saturday’s
victory over Brighton there were signs that, at 31-years-old, he has returned
to his very best form.
He scored twice and claimed one assist on Saturday so Boro's backline, which has injury affected in recent weeks, will have to keep close tabs on the Cardiff play-maker.
Last Time Out
Cardiff 1
Middlesbrough 0
A late George Friend own goal settled a tight Tuesday night contest
back in October, as Cardiff ended a run of three games without a win.
Joe Mason’s shot deflected off Friend with four minutes remaining,
as Boro slipped down to sixth in the table.
Team I Would Play
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| (Picture from Gazette Live) |
Karanka said that he wouldn't risk the likes of Ayala and Friend if they weren't 100% fit, so you have to assume that they won't be exposed here.
Dael Fry showed his quality at Leeds and will have to do so again against an inform Cardiff side.
Albert Adomah responded well after coming off the bench at Leeds, while Stewart Downing has performed best on the left. On that flank he can supply good crosses for Jordan Rhodes who should make his first start at the Riverside.
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