Aitor Karanka will take change of his 150th game
as Middlesbrough manager when his side host Bournemouth at the Riverside on
Saturday.
Following a difficult start to the season, Boro are only
outside the relegation zone on goal difference after nine games, however last
week’s commendable draw away at Arsenal has provided a cause for optimism.
Karanka, who was criticised after Boro’s defeat to Watford a
fortnight ago, put the performance down to hard work on the training pitch and
the ‘experience’ that his players have gained since their promotion to the
Premier League.
“Everybody is really pleased (with the Arsenal performance)
but I think that it’s a reflection of the last three weeks,” said the Spaniard.
“We had a good performance against West Ham and in the first
half against Watford and then Arsenal was a bigger scenario
“Everyone was expecting Arsenal to beat us easy but we had a
couple of chances to score. Now four or five days later I still think that we
should have won that game,” he added.
Boro will still be hoping to record their first win at the
Riverside this campaign, after taking just one point from a possible 12 on home
soil.
Team News
Boro came away from the Emirates unscathed last weekend and
Karanka should still have a most of his players available this weekend.
Captain Grant Leadbitter is back in training after
undergoing a hernia surgery over the Summer.
Adama Traore could make his first start at the Riverside
after his impressive performance against Arsenal last Saturday.
Bournemouth winger Junior Stanislas missed last weekend’s
goalless draw at home to Tottenham with a calf injury and will have to overcome
a late fitness test.
Midfield Andrew Surman should available again, after recovering
from a recent illness.
The Opposition
Bournemouth are currently on a four-match unbeaten run,
which includes a victory over Everton and a resounding 6-1 triumph against Hull
a fortnight ago.
Eddie Howe’s side sit tenth in the table with 12 points (after
3 wins, 3 losses and 3 draws) and it’s to Englishman’s credit that Bournemouth
already look like an established Premier League side, despite only gaining
promotion last season.
Going forward the Cherries’ have looked like a real force,
due to their pace and movement in the final third.
At times the Bournemouth’s defence has looked vulnerable
this season, however they have shown that they are more than capable at the
back after keeping clean sheets against Everton and Spurs.
One To Watch
Junior Stanislas
Should he overcome a late fitness test, the pacey winger has
the qualities to cause Boro plenty of problems at the Riverside.
In his five league appearances, this campaign, the
26-year-old has been involved in nearly half of Bournemouth’s goals - scoring
three himself and providing two assists.
Stanislas’ traits include being able to run at speed with
the ball and an ability to shoot from distance. Boro must therefore keep a
close eye on him at the weekend.
Last Time Out
Bournemouth 3
Middlesbrough 0 - 21/3/2015
Bournemouth replaced Boro at the top of the Championship
with an impressive victory on home soil.
Boro were up against it from the off and fell behind on 12
minutes when Tomas Kalas fouled Callum Wilson inside the area, before Yann
Kermorgant converted the penalty.
A stunning second from Harry Arter doubled the visitor’s
lead after half time before another spot-kick from Brett Pitman made it three.
Team I Would Play
 |
| (Picture from Gazette Boro) |
Adama Traore has to start after his performance against Arsenal and his pace could be Boro's biggest asset.
Playing three central midfielders worked away at The Emirates, however Boro are likely to see more of the ball against the Cherries and will probably be asked to try and break the opposition down when they have men behind the ball.
For that reason I would bring Downing back into the side in place of De Roon and move Ramirez back into the middle.
No comments:
Post a Comment