Yank The Boro: An American Up Teesside

[Chief Rum]

FRIDAY, August 15, 2003

English Premiership League Season Preview

The Contenders

ARSENAL

Name: Gunners
Location: London
Stadium: Highbury Park
Manager: Arsène Wenger
02-03 EPL Finish: 2nd (23-9-6, 78 pts)
GF: 85 (2.24 gpm)
GA: 42 (1.11 gpm)

Key Losses: GK David Seaman (retired)

Key Additions: MF Simon Perrotta (Chievo), GK Jens Lehmann (Dortmund)

Top Players: SC Thierry Henry (24 g), SC Dennis Bergkamp (4 g), WG Silvain Wiltord (10 g), MF Patrick Vieira (3 g), WG Robert Pires (14 g), CB Sol Campbell, FB Lauren, GK Jens Lehmann

The Good: French star Thierry Henry is one of the top scorers in the world, and his front line partner Dennis Bergkamp is one of the best sidekicks in the business. Sylvain Wiltord gives the Gunners a great trio up front, and also a fine playmaker on the wing. On the other wing, Robert Pires is a scary player to have to stop, and Patrick Vieira, Simon Perrotta and Gilberto form a very steady midfield corp. Sol Campbell centers a strong backline, which returns veteran Martin Keown, and fullbacks Lauren and Ashley Cole.

The Bad: Longtime star in net David Seaman has finally decided to call it quits. Not that anyone is crying for the Gunners. All they did was grab one of the best goaltenders in the Bundesliga in Dortmund’s Jens Lehmann. Another issue to consider is whether the great depth Arsenal has will hurt the club chemistry, as players who would star elsewhere deal with part time play at Highbury.

CHELSEA

Name: Blues
Location: London
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Manager: Claudio Ranieri
02-03 EPL Finish: 4th (19-10-9, 67 pts)
GF: 68 (1.79 gpm)
GA: 38 (1.00 gpm)

Key Losses: MF Boudewin Zenden (Middlesbrough loan), MF Jody Harris (Leeds), FB Graeme La Saux (Southampton), SC Giancarlo Zola (Cagliari), MF Enrique de Lucas (Aláves)

Key Additions: SC Hernan Crespo (Inter), SC Djibril Cissé (Auxerre), SC Adrian Mutu (Parma), MF Joe Cole (West Ham), MF Juan Sebastián Verón (Man U), WG Damien Duff (Blackburn), CB Olaf Mellberg (Aston Villa), FB Wayne Bridge (Southampton)

Top Players: SC Eidur Gudjohnsen (10 g), SC Hernán Crespo (7 g), SC Djibril Cissé (14 g), SC Adrian Mutu (18 g), MF Juan Sebastián Verón (2 g), MF Joe Cole (4 g), WG Damien Duff (9 g), CB Olof Mellberg, FB WB Wayne Bridge, FB William Gallas (4 g)

The Good: Chelsea went on a spending spree the past three months that seems almost unparalleled in football history, thanks to new, wealthy management. And this wasn’t a bad team to begin with. The forward foursome of Eidur Gudjohnsen, Hernán Crespo, Adrian Mutu and Djibril Cissé might be the best forward group in the league, although Manchester United might have something to say about that. The midfield has terrific depth, including playmaking midfielders Juan Sebastián Verún and Joe Cole, and explosive striker Damien Duff. William Gallas is one of the few returning starters guaranteed a first team spot, and that’s because he’s one of the best wingbacks in the league. He gets able help from Olaf Mellberg in the middle and Wayne Bridge opposite of him to give Chelsea star power at all three levels. Carlo Cudicini is a lid, if unspectacular goalie.

The Bad: The obvious issue is whether so much star talent can co-exist with each other. At least with Arsenal’s depth, much of the talent has been playing with each other for a while. This is a hodgepodge of talent that may or may not work together, and that’s above and beyond the very simple truth that there is only so much playing time to go around. If they can get past that, though, this squad has as much talent as any team in the league, including Arsenal and Manchester United.

LIVERPOOL

Name: Reds
Location: Liverpool
Stadium: Anfield
Manager: Gerard Houllier
02-03 EPL Finish: 5th (18-10-10, 64 pts)
GF: 61 (1.61 gpm)
GA: 41 (1.08 gpm)

Key Losses: None

Key Additions: WG Harry Kewell (Leeds), MF Freddy Indurley Grisales (Atlético Nacional), Steve Finnan (Fulham)

Top Players: SC Michael Owen (19 g), WG Harry Kewell (14 g), MF Freddy Inurley Grisales (8 g), WG Steven Gerrard (5 g), MF John Arne Riise (6 g), MF Danny Murphy (7 g), DC Sami Hyypiä (3 g), FB Steve Finnan, GK Jerzy Dudek

The Good: .The Reds don’t have the amazing depth of some of the more wealthy teams, but they have the star power to match anyone. Michael Owen is one of the top strikers in the league, and he is ably aided by Emile Heskey and a deep forward crew. The additions that could key a run back to the top of the table, though, were the acquisitions of Harry Kewell and Freddy Indurley Grisales. Both represent an impressive array of dynamic skills, with Kewell possibly the best scoring winger in the league, with all due respect to Arsenal’s Robert Pires. With standouts like winger Steven Gerrard and midfielder Danny Murphy still around, this is one of the best frontline midfield groups in football. In fact, they are so good, they may have forced explosive playmaking midfielder John Arne Riise into a backline attacking fullback position, where he can only make them stronger. He joins holdover Sami Hyypiä, one of the strongest centrebacks in the league, and solid Fulham addition Steve Finnan on the right to give Liverpool perhaps the league’s best backline. All of this only helps Polish keeper Jerzy Dudek, one of the best in the biz.

The Bad: It’s not so much that they don’t have depth—they actually have an impressive array of first team talent, top to bottom. It’s just that this squad as it is now can match up with any team in the world. But one injury, and it falls a little further than Man U or Chelsea would. And while the Reds are certainly not poor, they don’t have the resources of those clubs to go out and fix problems with a transfer either. If they stay healthy, though, this side could surprise those assuming another Man U/Arsenal battle for the league prize. It’s a smaller issue, but there will obviously be an adjustment period for Kewell and Grisales, and Riise will have to adjust as well into a more defensive role—which doesn’t fit his skills and may not appeal to him.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Name: Red Devils
Location: Manchester
Stadium: Old Trafford
Manager: Alex Ferguson
02-03 EPL Finish: 1st (25-8-5, 83 pts)
GF: 74 (1.95 gpm)
GA: 34 (0.90 gpm)

Key Losses: WG David Beckham (Real Madrid), MF Juan Verón (Chelsea)

Key Additions: SC Nicolas Anelka (Man City), WG Cristiano Ronaldo (Sporting), GK Tim Howard (NY-NJ MetroStars)

Top Players: SC Ruud van Nistlerooy (25 g), Anelka (14 g), MF Paul Scholes (14 g), MF Roy Keane, WG Ryan Giggs (8 g), CB Rio Ferdinand, FB Gary Neville, GK Fabien Barthez

The Good: The Red Devils remain one of the world’s premier football superpowers. The recent acquisition of star French striker Nicolas Anelka gives them one of the top pairs of strikers in the world, with Dutchman Ruud van Nistlerooy leading the way. Paul Scholes is one of the best playmaking midfielders in the world, and left winger Ryan Giggs is a dynamite scorer. Roy Keane returns to do the dirty work in the middle. In the backfield, Rio Ferdinand once again returns to center the backline. He gets help from the Neville brothers, Phil and Gary, at wingback. The squad remains well-supported and has shown a willingness to go out and get the players it needs. There is also tremendous depth and one of the most respected managers in football history in Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Bad: Man U’s main issue in the offseason was how to replace superstar winger David Beckham, now with Real Madrid. They brought in Brazilian Kléberson and Sporting’s Cristiano Ronaldo to compete for the spot. A new issue arose recently when longstanding star goalkeeper Fabien Barthez said he was unhappy with Ferguson and wanted to leave the club. That issue is hanging over the club’s head at the moment, but they did bring in American goalkeeper Tim Howard just in case.

(cont.)

[Chief Rum]

FRIDAY, August 15, 2003

Second Tier

BLACKBURN

Name: Rovers
Location: Blackburn
Stadium: Ewood Park
Manager: Graeme Souness
02-03 EPL Finish: 6th (16-12-10, 60 pts)
GF: 52 (1.37 gpm)
GA: 43 (1.13 gpm)

Key Losses: WG Damien Duff (Chelsea), WG Keith Gillespie (Leicester), MF David Dunn (Birmingham)

Key Additions: MF Barry Ferguson (Rangers), MF Dino Baggio (Lazio), MF Brett Emerton (Feyenoord), FB Vratislav Gresko (Parma), DC Lorenzo Amoruso (Rangers), Markus Babbel (Liverpool loan), GK Peter Encklemann (Aston Villa loan)

Top Players: SC Dwight Yorke (8 g), SC Andrew Cole (7 g), MF Barry Ferguson (16 g), MF Tugay, MF Brett Emerton (3 g), CB Lorenzo Amoruso, CB Markus Babbel, GK Brad Friedel

The Good: The team seems better suited to the 4-3-3 they run now. The addition of the explosive Barry Ferguson could completely reshape the Rovers’ midfield. With Tugay and Brett Emerton around to handle defensive duties, this team becomes tougher in the middle, too. Lorenzo Amoruso and Markus Babbel form a very solid center for the backline. This only figures to help Brad Friedel, whom has turned himself into a solid and dependable keeper. Even if Friedel were to falter or get hurt, the Rovers really helped their depth by adding Villa’s starting netminder from last season in Peter Encklemann.

The Bad: The one thing lacking from the Rovers that is glaring is the need for a true standout scorer. They were a fine defensive squad last year, but they seem to have made more moves to make them even more defensive, rather than looking for offense. Ferguson’s addition counteracts that, of course, but he will have to take on the scoring duties of both Damien Duff and David Dunn, both of whom are now on other Premiership squads. With three strikers up front, the lack of a dominant frontliner is even more apparent. Dwight Yorke and Ashley Cole are both solid, but they have nothing on the premier scorers in the league. A player to watch is Manchester United transfer Danny Nardiello, who could do very well with increased time.

EVERTON

Name: Blues
Location: Liverpool
Stadium: Goodison Park
Manager: David Moyes
02-03 EPL Finish: 7th (17-8-13, 59 pts)
GF: 48 (1.26 gpm)
GA: 49 (1.29 gpm)

Key Losses: None

Key Additions: WG James McFadden (Motherwell), GK Nigel Martyn (Leeds)

Top Players: SC Tomasz Radzinski (11 g), SC Wayne Rooney (6 g), SC Kevin Campbell (10 g), MF Thomas Gravesen, WG James McFadden (16 g), FB David Unsworth (5 g), CB Joseph Yobo, DC Alan Stubbs

The Good: Everton remains a very young team with a bright future. They begin to put it together last year and put themselves in Europe this year. Now it is time for them to take the next step into table-topping competition, assuming their kids are ready to take another step forward. Observers continue to gaga over the immense talent Wayne Rooney is said to have, but this team ticks with the steady contributions of Tomasz Radzinski and Kevin Campbell. The threesome is a powerful group to have. Gravesen returns as the steady hand in the middle of the offense, but the reason to look forward to an exciting new attack is solely on transfer addition James McFadden, an exciting Scottish winger who could soon be putting his name up there with the Giggs, Pires and Kewell’s of the English winger star-ocracy. The backline star-in-the-making is Joseph Yobo, who only needs a little more playing time to turn himself into a premier backliner. He is partnered with the efficient Alan Stubbs. FB David Unsworth can put a few intot he net if he isn’t watched for forward runs.

The Bad: Richard Wright is an impressionable young goalkeeper with good talent and a bright future. Former Leeds keeper Nigel Martyn is a crafty veteran who knows his way around the net in the Premiership. They are at about equal talent right now, but Martyn’s vet savvy might be more important to this young team. If Wright is forced to sit after starting for this squad, will that cause chemistry issues? Yobo is a tremendous talent, but he, too, is still learning. Mistakes in front of the net can bring awful results. While there is talent there, the defense isn’t really as strong as it needs to be. Up front, the forward crew is very effective, but until Rooney develops into a superstar, they lack that one true explosive playmaker they need scoring goals.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Name: Magpies
Location: Newcastle
Stadium: St. James Park
Manager: Bobby Robson
02-03 EPL Finish: 3rd (21-6-11, 69 pts)
GF: 63 (1.66 gpm)
GA: 48 (1.26 gpm)

Key Losses: None

Key Additions: MF Sean Davis (Fulham), MF Lee Bowyer (West Ham)

Top Players: SC Alan Shearer (17 g), SC Craig Bellamy (7 g), WG Laurent Roberts (5 g), MF Sean Davis (3 g), WG Nolberto Solano (7 g), FB Olivier Bernard, CB Alan Hughes, GK Shay Given

The Good: Newcastle got far last season behind a trio of top forwards in SC Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy and Shola Ameobi. Those three return to lead the offensive attack. Nolberto Solano amd Laurent Roberts form one of the better wing combos in the league, and Sean Davis solidifies the middle. Keeper Shay Given returns as the team’s effective netminder.

The Bad: For a squad that ended up third in the league, the Magpies could have been stronger defensively. Depth in the midfield will ehlp this, but the main problem is the lack of any true backfield star. Olivier Bernard and Alan Hughes lead the squad’s defenders, as they return all their starters from last season. Newcastle has made an agreement with Leverkusen playmaking fullback Lúcio, and he would solve their backline problems, but he has yet to receive a work permit.

(cont.)

[Chief Rum]

FRIDAY, August 15, 2003

Pushing For Europe

LEEDS UNITED

Name: United
Location: Leeds
Stadium: Elland Road
Manager: Eddie Gray
02-03 EPL Finish: 15th (14-5-19, 47 pts)
GF: 58 (1.53 gpm)
GA: 57 (1.50 gpm)

Key Losses: WG Harry Kewell (Liverpool), FB Danny Mills (Middlesbrough—loan), GK Nigel Martyn (Everton)

Key Additions: MF Olembe (Marseille loan), MF Jody Morris (Chelsea), WG Jermaine Pennant (Arsenal loan)

Top Players: SC Mark Viduka (20 g), SC Alan Smith (3 g), MF Eirik Bakke, MF Olembe, MF Jody Morris, WG Nick Barmby (4 g), WG Jermaine Pennant (3 g), CB Lucas Radebe, CB Michael Duberry, GK Paul Robinson

The Good: For a team that has seen guys named Kewell, Keane, Fowler, Bowyer and Woodgate leave Leeds in financially-motivated transfers, United is surprisingly strong still. In fact, after underachieving to a spot just above relegation and then bringing in some new possibilities for the first team, maybe Leeds has finally begun to turn it around. Mark Viduka and Alan Smith form one of the better striker suos in the league. Viduka is a star, and Smith has the talent to become one. The midfield is deep, so deep it can swallow up the loss of Harry Kewell to transfer and Eirik Bakke to injury, and still put up a solid foursome. Nick Barmby gets the chance to come out from Kewell’s shadow by taking over his wing spot, and Arsenal loan Jermaine Pennant is an exciting option on the other side, along with star winger in the making James Milner. Olembe and Jody Harris were brought in as a defensive midfield, roles they are well suited for. Paul Robinson is a solid goalkeeper.

The Bad: For all that offense, the defense needs a bit of work. Leeds was one of the better offensive teams in the league, and also one of the worst defensively. For all the moves they made to shore up the holes transfers have created in their offense, they didn’t do much to repair that defense. Centrebacks Lucas Radebe and Michael Duberry are okay, but they need more help back there. On top of that, both Duberry and Viduka are unhappy at the club and looking to move. The club can’t afford to lose either on the pitch, but offseason finances may force the moves anyway. If this team holds together, they can contend for a spot in Europe. But that’s a huge if.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Name: Boro
Location: Middlesbrough
Stadium: Riverside Stadium
Manager: Matthew Kieta
02-03 EPL Finish: 11th (13-10-15, 49 pts)
GF: 48 (1.26 gpm)
GA: 44 (1.16 gpm)

Key Losses: WG Geremi (Chelsea)

Key Additions: MF Boudewin Zenden (Chelsea loan), FB Danny Mills (Leeds loan), MF Gaizka Mendieta (Lazio loan), CB Salvatore Fresi (Juventus), GK Carlo Nash (Man City)

Top Players: SC Massimo Maccarone (9 g), SC Michael Ricketts (7 g), MF Juninho (3 g), MF Gaizka Mendieta, CB Gareth Southgate, CB Ugo Ehiogu, FB Danny Mills

The Good: The Boro had one of the top defensive units in the league last season, and they return most of the backline and starting goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, and they have added versatile fullback Danny Mills and forward centreback Salvatore Fresi. Even with the injury to top centreback Ugo Ehiogu which will put him out until January, the squad should be solid in front of their own net. Gaizka Mendieta and Juninho are both active playmakers, and young strikers Massimo Maccarone and Michael Ricketts could be poised for breakthrough seasons.

The Bad: For all the potential of Maccarone and Ricketss, they haven’t really broken through yet. And that shows in the Boro’s offensive numbers. While they were one of the better defensive squads, they weren’t very effective on the offensive end. They are going to need Mendieta and Boudewin Zelden to be instrumental in the middle of the field to turn this squad into one that is more effective in scoring goals. It would help if the wings were stronger, but the Boro’s collection of sideliners is either unproven or proven to be poor. The defense should still be solid, but the loss of Ehiogu is huge. The final factor, and perhaps most important, is the new manager. Matthew Kieta has no experience in English football, and that fact could tear down even the best group of players.

SOUTHAMPTON

Name: Saints
Location: Southampton
Stadium: St. Mary’s Stadium
Manager: Gordon Strachan
02-03 EPL Finish: 8th (13-13-12, 52 pts)
GF: 43 (1.13 gpm)
GA: 46 (1.21 gpm)

Key Losses: FB Wayne Bridge, MF Chris Marsden

Key Additions: SC Kevin Phillips (Sunderland), CB Fitz Hall (Oldham), FB Darren Kenton (Norwich), FB Graeme Le Saux (Chelsea)

Top Players: SC James Beattie (23 g), SC Kevin Phillips (6 g), MF Matthew Oakley, WG Fabrice Fernandes (3 g), CB Fitz Hall, FB Graeme Le Saux

The Good: Southampton is a team in youthful transition, so finishing up eighth last seasonw as quite a feat. That young talent seems about ready to flourish. James Beattie is already one of the best scorers in the league, the type of player that gives the Saints a chance in any close match. The addition of Sunderland’s Kevin Phillips moves past starter Brett Ormerod to a backup role, strengthening the team’s scoring depth. Popular midfielder Matthew Oakley has enough quality young depth behind him that he is even at risk of losing his first team spot to players like Anders Svensson and David Prutton. On the wing, Fabrice Fernandes is the best returning starter. He isn’t flashy, but he’s solid. Two lower division transfers in Fitz Hall and Darren Kenton gifure to have a big impact on the back line, which returns all of last season’s starters as well. Kenton and Chelsea transfer Graeme Le Saux should make Southampton very solid at the wingback spots.

The Bad: It appears that there could be a goalkeeper controversy in Southampton, as incumbent Antti Niemi may have to fight off Paul Jones for his first team role. The wingers, while solid physically and defensively, lend very little to the offense, which could cause pressure problems for Beattie and company up front. Overall, Southampton was a very poor offensive side last season, and Beattie scored more than half of their goals. Considering Phillips is the only significant addition expected to see first team pitch time, this may not change so fast.

(cont.)

[Chief Rum]

FRIDAY, August 15, 2003

Safe In The Middle

BIRMINGHAM CITY

Name: Blues
Location: Birmingham
Stadium: St. Andrews
Manager: Steve Bruce
02-03 EPL Finish: 13th (13-9-16, 48 pts)
GF: 41 (1.08 gpm)
GA: 49 (1.29 gpm)

Key Losses: SC Geoff Horsfield (West Bromich Albion), MF Aliou Cissé

Key Additions: SC Mikaell Forsell (Chelsea loan), MF David Dunn (Blackburn), CB Mike Duff (Cheltenham), GK Maik Taylor (Fulham loan)

Top Players: SC Mikaell Forsell (7 g), ML Christophe Dugarry (5 g), MF David Dunn (8 g), WG Stan Lazaridis, CB Mike Duff, CB Kenny Cunningham, GK Maik Taylor

The Good: The Blues were one of the worst offensive teams in the Premeirship, so the acquisition of well-regarded young striker Mikaell Forsell, even on loan, is a step in the right direction. It says a lot that Forsell immediately becomes Birmingham’s top striker. Forsell and last year’s top striker, Clinton Morrison, should improve on last year’s results. The forwards will likely perform better with a strong midfield behind them. The addition of David Dunn solidifies a midfield that already had good playmakers in Christophe Duggary and Stan Lazaridis. Maik Taylor should be an improvement in the net.

The Bad: Until Forsell capitalizes on his talent, Birmingham remains a very weak offensive squad. Good scoring from the midfield aside, this club needs stronger contributions up front to get better. The defense has a pair of decent centrebacks in Mike Duff and Kenny Cunningham, but they are weak at wingback. Even in the middle, neither Duff nor Cunningham scare anyone. The defense should be decent, but it’s not good enough to win the club’s matches if the offense doesn’t step it up.

BOLTON WANDERERS

Name: Wanderers
Location: Bolton
Stadium: Reebok Stadium
Manager: Sam Allardyce
02-03 EPL Finish: 17th (10-14-14, 44 pts)
GF: 41 (1.08)
GA: 51 (1.34)

Key Losses: None

Key Additions: SC Kevin Davies (Southampton), SC Jardel (Sporting), WG Stelios Giannakopoulos (Olympiakos)

Top Players: SC Henrik Pedersen (7 g), SC Jardel (11 g), WG Giannakopoulos (11 g), MF Jay Jay Okocha (7 g), MF Youri Djorkaef (7 g), GK Juusi Jaaskelainen

The Good: After a season in which they finished among the worst in the league offensively, the Wanderers remade themselves with some key acquisitions. Jardel and Stelios Giannakopoulos are exciting scorers who can make a difference in the offensive end. They have also managed to hold onto Youri Djorkaef, the linchpin in their five-midfielder tactic, and Henrik Pedersen, their leading returning scorer. Tossing in another dynamic midfielder in Jay Jay Okocha, and you have to think Bolton won’t have nearly the problem scoring this season that they did last year. Back in the netm Juusi Jaaskelainen is one of the better goalkeepers in the league.

The Bad: Even with a solid netminder, Bolton didn’t exactly light the world on fire on defense. They also made no moves to improve that defense. They are also not very deep on the backline, even going with a three-man line in their tactic. Still, if the defense can maintain last year’s pace, and their offense take the step forward that it seems ti might, the Wanderers likely won’t be on the edge of relegation this time around.

MANCHESTER CITY

Name: City
Location: Manchester
Stadium: City of Manchester Stadium
Manager: Kevin Keegan
02-03 EPL Finish: 9th (15-6-17, 51 pts)
GF: 47 (1.24 gpm)
GA: 54 (1.42 gpm)

Key Losses: SC Nicolas Anelka (Manchester United), MF Marc Vivien-Foe (passed away in June), CB Steve Howie (Leicester), WG Niclas Jensen (Dortmund), WG Ali Bernarbia (Al Rayyan), MF Kevin Horlock (West Ham), SC Shawn Goater (Reading)

Key Additions: SC Antoine Sibierski (Lens), SC Trevor Sinclair (West Ham), MF Claudio Reyna (Sunderland), WG Steve McManaman, MF Paul Bosvelt

Top Players: SC Antoine Sibierski (12 g), SC Robbie Fowler (4 g), MF Claudio Reyna, MF Paul Bosvelt, WG Shaun-Wright Phillips, FB Sun Jihai

The Good: With the trasnfer of Nicolas Anelka, Man City returns to a more team-oriented approach. They have good deep groups among both the forwards and the midfielders. Antoine Sibierski could be a top scorer, and Robbie Fowler has been a scorer in the past. Claudio Reyna and Paul Bosvelt are both effective ball-moving midfielders. Wingback Sun Jihai is one of the better backline wings in the league.

The Bad: You have to start with the obvious. The passing of the well-liked Marc Vivien-Foe in a Cameroon African Nations Cup match in June has dealt a heavy blow to the squad. Reyna and Bosvelt are significant additions to the midfield, but Foe’s loss is going to be felt deeply all season. In a sad way, Anelka’s loss is nearly as critical, if on a less cosmic and emotional scale. The explosive striker was City’s identity and a dominating scorer. The forward group still has the talent to produce, but they will all need to produce, especially with a group of midfielders not known to chip in with supporting goals. The defense could also use a lot of tightening up, and the loss of top centreback Steve Howie isn’t going to help matters.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Name: Cockerels
Location: London
Stadium: White Hart Lane
Manager: David Pleat
02-03 EPL Finish: 10th (14-8-16, 50 pts)
GF: 51 (1.34 gpm)
GA: 62 (1.63 gpm)

Key Losses: SC Teddy Sheringham (Portsmouth), WG Matthew Etherington (West Ham)

Key Additions: SC Frederic Kanoute (West Ham), SC Helder Postiga (Porto), WG Simon Davies (5 g), WG Stéphane Dalmat (Inter loan), CB Mbulelo Mabizela (Orlando Pirates), FB Paul Konchesky (Charlton loan)

Top Players: SC Robbie Keane (14 g), SC Frederic Kanoute (5 g), MF Darren Anderton, WG Stéphane Dalmat, CB Mbulelo Mabizelo (3 g), FB Paul Konchesky (3 g), GK Kasey Keller

The Good: Robbie Keane is a premier scorer, and the Cockerels got him some help in Frederic Kanoute and Helder Postiga. They should make up for the departure of Teddy Sheringame. Simon Davies is the Cockerels’ best winger, and eh should be ably paired on the other side by Inter loan Stéphane Dalmat. The defense got an upsurge in talent with the additions of Mbulelo Mabizelo and Paul Konchesky.

The Bad: The main problem with Tottenham last season was they weren’t a very good defensive team, and they still have two of those backline starters playing first team, in addition to goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who was not been particularly solid last year. Mabizelo and Konchesky help, but Mabizelo will be adjusting from South Africa’s Premier Division, and Konchesky is just a fullback. Darren Anderton and Jamie Redknapp are developing talents in the midfield, but they have yet to handle the full duties of being first team playmakers.

(cont.)

[Chief Rum]

FRIDAY, August 15, 2003

Fighting Off Relegation

ASTON VILLA

Name: Villans
Location: Birmingham
Stadium: Villa Park
Manager: David O’Leary
02-03 EPL Finish: 16th (12-9-17, 45 pts)
GF: 42 (1.11 gpm)
GA: 47 (1.24 gpm)

Key Losses: CB Olof Mellberg (Chelsea), WG Hassan Kachloul (Wolverhampton loan), FB Steve Staunton (Coventry), GK Peter Encklemann (Blackburn loan)

Key Additions: MC Gavin McCann (Sunderland), GK Thomas Sorenson (Sunderland)

Top Players: SC Darius Vassell (8 g), MF Lee Hendrie (4 g), MF Gavin McCann, WG Peter Whittingham, MF Thomas Hitzlsperger, FB Gareth Barry (3 g), CB Ronny Johnsen, FB J’Lloyd Samuel

The Good: There aren’t any out and out stars here, but Darius Vassell and fellow striker starter Juan Pablo Angel are capable of better. If they can return to form, that would go a long way to improving Villa’s 42 goals scored, among the worst totals in the league. Lee Hendrie returns to headline the midfield, although there have been some changes around him. Gavin McCann was brought in to start beside Hendrie, and his arrival may push former starter Thomas Hitzlsperger to the wing. All eyes, though, will be on winger Peter Whittingham, who has the talent to become a star winger. He also has the pressure of replacing Hassan Kachloul, who, for all his attitude, was a player that could make something happen on the pitch. But it will likely be an addition by subtraction situation.

The Bad: The backline absorbed a big hit when strong centreback Olof Mellberg was sent to Chelsea. His loss and the fact that former Sunderland keeper Thomas Sorenson will be adjusting to a new team is likely going to hurt a defense that fared pretty well last year. There is also a significant reliance on Vassell and Angel to provide scoring for a team that is otherwise not too strong in the department. That might be a little too much to ask. Also, youth runs throughout the roster, especially at wing, and as will happen with youth, there will be mistakes as they learn on the pitch through tial-and-error.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Name:[/b] Addicks
Location: London
Stadium: The Valley
Manager: Alan Curbishley
02-03 EPL Finish: 12th (14-7-17, 49 pts)
GF: 45 (1.18 gpm)
GA: 56 (1.47 gpm)

Key Losses: FB Paul Konchesky (Tottenham loan)

Key Additions: SC Carlton Cole (Chelsea loan), SC Paolo di Canio (West Ham), WG Matt Holland (Ipswich), CB Herman Hreidarsson (Ipswich)

Top Players: SC Paolo di Canio (9 g), WG Claus Jensen (6 g), WG Jason Euell (10 g), CB Herman Hreidarsson, CB Richard Rufus, GK Dean Kiely

The Good: For a team as low in the table as Charlton was, this side had a lot of effective midfielders, particularly on the wing. That kind of scoring ability from the midfield eases pressure up front.. Paolo di Canio could be a key addition. If he can do what he did last season with West Ham, but for a full season, he would rank among the top scorers in the league. Goalkeeper Dean Kiely is a steady netminder.

The Bad: The Addicks don’t just hope di Canio is a top scorer, they need him to be. They have very few other options for putting up serious numbers. It’s saying something when you return both of your starting strikers from the season before, but you may have two completely new guys up front in di Canio and Carlton Cole. Hreidarsson is a solid addition in the center of the backline, but the defense wasn’t particularly solid either. Hurting things even more, the other centreback Richard Rufus will miss the first two months of the season with a knee injury. This isn’t a team that can afford to take a step back in defense, especially with the problems they have had scoring.

FULHAM

Name: Cottagers
Location: London
Stadium: Loftus Road
Manager: Chris Coleman
02-03 EPL Finish: 14th (13-9-16, 48 pts)
GF: 41 (1.08 gpm)
GA: 50 (1.32 gpm)

Key Losses: SC Steve Marlet (Marseille), WG Steed Malbranque (Real Madrid), MF Sean Davis (Newcastle), FB Steve Finnan (Liverpool), GK Maik Taylor (Birmingham)

Key Additions: FB Jerome Bonnissel

Top Players: SC Louis Saha (5 g), MF Sylvain Legwinski (4 g), MF Luis Boa Marte, WG Malik Buari, MF Zatyiah Knight, CB Alain Goma, FB Jerome Bonnissel

The Good: Fulham is a young team with a lot of youthful talent in development. This is particularly evident in the midfield, where strong looking young players like Zatyiah Knight and Malik Buari will be getting their first real shots at first team spots. Saha has the ability to develop into a top scorer, and Elvis Hammond is another young striker who could turn out to be a big time performer. Fullback Jerome Bonnissel is a very solid wingback.

The Bad: Saha and Hammond remain unproven up front, and for a side that was one of the worst offensive clubs in the Premiership, that is bad news. The midfield is heavy on playmakers, but doesn’t produce much in goals itself, which doesn’t figure to help the offense at all. Remember, this team scored just 41 goals when it had Newcastle midfielder Sean Davis and Real Madrid winger Steed Malbranque on the squad. Despite playing nine players in the midfield and defense, Fulham still gave up 50 goals. Bonnissel is a quality get, but the loss of Steve Finnan on the other side hurts. Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is in the spotlight after splitting time with Maik Taylor last year. With Taylor in Birmingham, it’s van der Sar’s unquestioned job for the first time.

(cont.)

[Chief Rum]

FRIDAY, August 15, 2003

New Kids On The Block

LEICESTER CITY

Name: Foxes
Location: Leicester
Stadium: Walker Stadium
Manager: Micky Adams
02-03 EPL Finish: First Division Promotion

Key Losses: SC Brian Deane (West Ham), FB Alan Rogers (Wigan), SC Trevor Benjamin (Rushden loan), FB Gerry Taggart (Stoke City loan), WG Nicky Summerbee (Bradford City)

Key Additions: SC Les Ferdinand (West Ham), SC Stanley Spencer (Detroit Bullets), MF Ricardo Scimeca (Nottingham Forest), WG Keith Gillespie (Blackburn), CB Ben Thatcher (Tottenham)

Top Players: SC James Scowcraft (10 g), SC Stanley Spencer, MF Muzzy Izzet (4 g), MF Ricardo Scimeca (3 g), WG Keith Gillespie, FB Callum Davidson, CB Ben Thatcher, WG Jordan Stewart (4 g)

The Good: The Foxes have taken some solid steps to move their roster forward to a Premiership level. James Scowcraft is a solid striker, and bringing in the talented Stanley Spencer could turn out to be a great move. Les Ferdinand lends Premiership experience to back them up. Muzzy Izzet and Ricardo Scimeca will have growing pains in the middle, but the side should be solid on the wing, where young Jordan Stewart could be a future star, and Blackburn transfer Keith Gillespie lends more experience. The acquisition of Ben Thatcher will help a lot on the backline.

The Bad: Thatcher is going to need help back there, and the best guy to do it, fullback Callum Davidson, will be out for the first four months of the season. Until Scowcraft and Spencer start to score, they are unproven at this level, and Ferdinand hasn’t shown himself to be more than a mediocre talent. Three of the four midfielders have no Premiership experience, and Stewart is very young. Ian Walker in net is similarly untested. As usual, it’s going to be difficult to really assess this team until the season gets going.

PORTSMOUTH

Name: Pompey
Location: Portsmouth
Stadium: Fratton Park
Manager: Harry Redknapp
02-03 EPL Finish: First Division Promotion

Key Losses: SC Paul Merson (Walsall), FB Gianluca Festa (Cagliari)

Key Additions: SC Teddy Sheringham (Tottenham), MC Alexei Smerten (Chelsea loan), DC Sebastian Schimmel (West Ham), FB Boris Zivkovic (Leverkusen), GK Pavel Srnicek (Consenza), WG Amdy Moustapha Faye

Top Players: SC Svetoslav Todorov (26 g), SC Yakuba (22 g), SC Teddy Sheringham (12 g), WG Amdy Moustapha Faye, MF Alexei Smerten, WG Nigel Quashie (5 g), CB Linvoy Primus, FB Sebastian Schimmel, FB Matthew Taylor )7 g)

The Good: The Pompey have done a good job of setting themselves up offensively. Even considering they racked up their goals against First Division squads, no one doubts that Svetoslav Todorov or Yakuba can score in the Premiership. Landing Tottenham’s top scorer in Teddy Sheringham lends additional quality depth. They also added Premiership level talent in Amdy Moustapha Faye on the wing, and Alexei Smerten in the middle. The popular Nigel Quashie will have to adjust to the top level, but he’s one of the few guys in the Pompey offense that would seem likely to have to adjust to the new league. On the backline, Linvoy Primus is a solid centreback, and fullback Matthew taylor is a good scorer from the backline. Once again, Boris Zivkovic and Sebastian Schimmel will help a lot with the transition.

The Bad: To call the goaltending situation unsettled is a huge understatement. The leader for the number one jersey is Pavel Srnicek, whom Portsmouth plucked away from a non-league Italian club. He’s just ahead of Utrecht keeper Harold Wapenaar, and neither keeper came to Portsmouth to sit. Defense is always the hardest thing to get when you get promoted, and Portsmouth figures to lag a bit on the backline, especially with Taylor missing the first couple months of the season with a damaged achilles tendon. Right wing appears to be a big weakness as well.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Name: Wolves
Location: Wolverhampton
Stadium: Molineux
Manager: Dave Jones
02-03 EPL Finish: First Division Promotion

Key Losses: SC Dean Sturridge (Sheffield United loan), FB Mark Edworthy (Norwich)

Key Additions: MC Silas (Leiria), SC Henri Camara (Sedan), WG Hassam Kachloul (Aston Villa loan), FB Oleg Luzhny (Arsenal)

Top Players: SC Kenny Miller (19 g), SC Henri Camara (14 g), MC Silas (8 g), SC George NDah (7 g), WG Colin Cameron (7 g), CB Joleon Scott, FB Oleg Luzhny, GK Matt Murray

The Good: When healthy, Kenny Miller and Henri Camara should give the Wolves a solid duo up front. They are also back with solid depth, including former starter George Ndah. Colin Cameron remains the team leader on the wing, and he and volatile Hassan Kachloul should both provide sparks on the sidelines. Midfielder Silas is the most offensively-minded midfielder and should see time all over the place. The backline is bolstered by the acquisition of well-regarded Oleg Luzhny on one wing, and the continued development of Joleon Scott in the middle. Keeper Matt Murray is the best of the goalkeepers on the promoted teams this season.

The Bad: First off, the team is going through a ton of injuries. Among the down and out are top scorer Miller for two months, Ndah for four months amd Scott for three months. Those are three very critical players. Kachloul brings with him a notorious habit of upsetting his teammates. There are still players in Aston Villa that are talking bad about him. You can imagine what kind of reaction he is getting here. He’s a chemistry ticking time bomb. Luzhny is a nice addition, but with Scott hurt for three months, the defense is certain to suffer.

[Chief Rum]

FRIDAY, August 15, 2003

EPL Predictions, 2003-04 Season

1. Arsenal
2. Liverpool
3. Manchester United
4. Chelsea
5. Blackburn
6. Newcastle United
7. Everton
8. Southampton
9. Middlesbrough
10. Leeds United
11. Bolton Wanderers
12. Tottenham Hotspur
13. Birmingham City
14. Manchester City
15. Portsmouth
16. Fulham
17. Aston Villa
<-------------relegation line------------->
18. Wolverhampton Wanderers
19. Charlton Athletic
20. Leicester City

[SirFozzie]

Nice Preview, now the games really start to count

[SirFozzie]

Dola-Fozzie Post:

Well, you got a lot to live up to, as the real life Boro just won the Carling Cup (League Cup), so they'll be in Europe next year.

[Chief Rum]

Yeah, I saw. Way to go, Boro!

I hope I can live up to that.

CR

[Chief Rum]

SATURDAY, August 16, 2003

Middlesbrough Preview

The grass is clipped. The lines are drawn. The hooligans are drunk. Football in merry old England returns for another season.

Today, the Boro of Middlesbrough begin yet another quest for their first ever FA Barclaycard Premiership League title, a quest that has gone on now for over a century. The Boro will take on the Cockerels of Tottenham Hotspur at the Riverside Stadium this afternoon.

Last season, the Boro did fairly well and were just in sight of playing in Europe. Can they take the next step this season?

It will be up to new manager Matthew Kieta to see that that task is completed. The interim manager took over for Steve McLaren after the latter had to go on holiday to rehabilitate from an as yet undisclosed serious illness.

Kieta, a heretofore unknown from the American collegiate leagues, has been lambasted by media and observers as unsuited for the position. The squad did little in the preseason to dispel those notions, going 3-3 against relatively sunstandard competition. But then, those are just friendlies.

Kieta also didn't make any significant moves before just this past week. Fortunately, McLaren made some moves before departing, loaning Leeds' defender Danny Mills, Chelsea attacking midfielder Boudewijn "Bolo" Zenden, and Lazio's exciting Spanish midfielder Gaizka Mendieta. All three are expected to see major pitch time this season. McLaren also brought in Manchester City netminder Carlo Nash, who gave Mark Schwarzer strong competition for the number one jersey over the past month.

Kieta did finally get going recently. He has brought in Juventus defender Salvatore Fresi and Wimbledon winger Lionel Morgan to shore up weak depth spots on the squad, and he is currently battling with Ajax for the rights to Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Kieta did some learning of his own over the preseason. After trying to install a complicated five-tier tactic for much of the preseason, Kieta admitted failure for now when he switched to a simpler 4-4-2 with attacking elements. Bitter as that change might have been, the Boro won both of their last two preseason matches handily behind the tactic.

Here's a position by position look at the team.

FORWARDS

Coming into the preseason, this area looked like a strength. Now there are a lot of questions.

Young strikers Massimo Maccarone and Malcolm Christie looked like they would be the guys to take the Boro into new offensive heights--before an offseason in which they largely were undistinguished and even played poorly. Another young striker, Michael Ricketts, instead pushed himself into the mix, as did veteran Joseph-Désiré Job. Christie found himself trying out at right wing, and Maccarone spent the whole preseason looking over his shoulder.

And now Kieta is pursuing Hasselbaink.

"It has been a problem area," Kieta said. "These guys are capable of better than that. But I can't afford to sit around and wait. If there is one thing to take away from me, it's that I play the guys who play better, regardless of talent level."

Kieta wouldn't say who would start today or for the early course of the season, and the preseason friendlies give little guess who might be up front. Maccarone seems likely, since he has started most of the matches with the first team, but Christie has seemingly disappeared from the forward rotation.

It seems likely that Maccarone's partner will be either Job or Ricketts, with Szilard Németh around as well to take in a match or two. Christie, who will likely see more time on the right wing, could work his way back if the forwards don't play well.

Another possible option is emotional leader and exciting playmaker Juninho. The Brazilian veteran has established himself as a top player with the Boro, but the midfield position seems fairly deep, and Juninho is far more suited for a forward position than in the midfield.

Juninho missed much of last year to injury, acoring three goals while appearing in only ten matches. His absence was thought to have played a big role in the Boro's offensive problems last season, when they scored just 48 goals in 38 Premiership matches.

WINGERS

The wing has long been a troubled area of the squad, and that doesn't look to change much this season, with few players really stepping forward and taking a couple positions that were wide open to begin with.

"I still have a lot of hope for the players we have on the wing," Kieta said. "We have some good players there. We just need to find the right combination."

Kieta's wingers are responsibile for a little more than other wings, as he expects his wingers to play a primary role in moving the ball forward, as opposed to simply playing for the cross pass or heading into the penalty area to be on the receiving end of midfield and wingback passes.

The whole preseason seemed to be a tryout on the wing. The first friendly starters were Zenden and Németh and neither had a good match.

Since then, the right side has seen Christie and Mills and Greening, while the left side saw standout play from reserve Stuart Downing.

And that might eb the story of the left wing this preseason, as the 19-year-old made a bid for first team play. Kieta confirmed Friday that Downing had indeed made the team and would play a lot on the left.

Downing may get a lot of playing time early, but he has competition ont he way. The primary purpose for bring ing in Morgan from Wimbledon was to help on the wing, and Morgan's best position is on the left. The fast winger with good dribbling and crossing abilities is recuperating from a July injury in which he damaged knee cartilage, and should return to the pitch in early September.

Zenden is also expected to see time on the left wing, as Kieta continues to try and find a role for the talented player.

"Bolo has been kinda caught in the middle of our tactics switches," Kieta said. "He's a versatile player who can play the midfield, wingback, winger or up front. I still haven't even really decided where he should play for this squad, but he's too good to leave off the pitch for long."

Zenden and Downing will liekly handle the position until Morgan returns, and then Zenden could see more time in the middle or even up front.

On the right side, Christie was hit-and-miss. He played well in his first couple matches on the right, but his play tailed off later on in the preseason friendly fixture. Kieta said the position remains wide open.

"Malcolm still has a long way to go over there," Kieta said. "It's not easy to just pick yourself up from one position you have always played and move over to another one, and that's what he is having to do right now."

Christie is splitting time with Jonathon Greening, who might be better suited for the position, and Mills. Kieta said Friday, though, that Mills will be playing an attacking wingback position.

Kieta also said Job might see time on the right on occasion.

MIDFIELDERS

This is an area that has many supporters excited.

Mendieta has been an eye-opener in the midfield, and he did his best work in both Kieta's first tactic and the new 4-4-2.

"He's just a premier playmaker," Kieta said. "I think it won't be long before all of England knows who Gaizka Mendieta is."

Mendieta scored a goal and an assist and got a Man of the Match award in five preseason matches, none of which he played in for more than half of full time. He hurt his knee in the fifith match, but is healthy now and has been on the practice field for more than a week now.

If Juninho isn't starting up front, it's obvious where he will be: right beside Mendieta in one very strong playmaking midfield. The two working together should drive the Boro offense.

There is quality depth, too, with Doriva and Zenden around. Doriva has played well in the preseason and deserves to start himself. For Zenden, this is just another position at which he is capable of getting on the pitch.

When the side needs more defensive play, expect to see a lot of George Boateng. The underrated steady defensive midfielder returns to the dirty work in the middle. If he isn't in the middle, Boateng will likely be playing a lot on the backline.

WINGBACKS

Kieta's announcement that Mills would be starting back here likely clears up another area that has been in adjustment the past couple weeks. Kieta's first tactic didn't even include the tactic, but the one they are running now has two positions.

"I think Danny is excellent for this spot," Kieta said. "Our fullbacks will be expected to be a part of the offense as well, moving the ball forward and setting up deep crosses, as well as defending some of the great wings in this league. Mills is perfect for the position"

Mills should be starting on the right side. Boateng and Fresi will probably serve as his primary backups. Fresi is also expected to see time at the left wingback spot.

The left is a little more confused. Fresi is a possiblity, although he is more suited to the right and center. The natural left wingback on the roster is Franck Queudreu. Queudreu is a decent playmaker, but not as good defensively as a fullback is usually expected to be.

Alan Wright and veteran Chris Cooper will also help at the position. They are both solid defensively, but won't provide much on offense.

CENTREBACKS

This is the area that really made the Boro tough defensively last year, allowing just 44 goals, one of the best figures in the Premiership. But the primary reason for that success is the main reason for conern this season.

Ugo Ehiogu, the commanding center of Boro's defense, tore knee ligaments in his knee in May and won't return to the Boro's backline until January at the soonest. It will be critical for the squad to overcome his loss.

Matters have been helped, though, by the emergence of Chris Riggott. Outside of perhaps Mendieta, there wasn't a player on the side who played better than the young centreback when presented with his shot at a starting role.

"Chris was amazing," Kieta said. "He has played tall, really making a difference in the air. He has been great in positional defense and really reeb a presence back there. When Ugo comes back, it's going to be tough with all these great backs on the squad."

Riggott's partner isn't a problem. That's where captain and veteran defender Gareth Southgate returns to his leading role in the team's defense. Southagte has started off slow in the preseason, but Kieta said he isn't concerned.

"Gareth is a true pro," Kieta said. "He knows what it takes to get through a tough and long season. I don't doubt he will be there when the points are up."

Fresi and Close seem likely to be the primary backups at the position, along with Boateng and Mills on occasion.

GOALKEEPERS

This position was the scene of an intriguing preseason battle for the first team spot between the popular incumbent starter Schwarzer and the Man City transfer Nash.

Kieta announced aerlier in the week that Schwarzer won--the first match anyway.

He said Schwarzer would start against Tottenham, but that there were no guarantees beyond that.

"We're going to go with the hot goaltender," Kieta said Tuesday. "In hockey, when you have two good netminders, it's common for both to see a lot of playing time, and who plays is based on who's practicing and playing well. I see no reason why that can't apply here."

He said Friday he planned to continue making that decision ona match-by-match basis.

Neither Schwarzer nor Nash distinguished themselves above the other. Schwarzer was the man in net for the Boro's strong defensive performance last season, but many observers think Nash, who was a backup for City last season, is actually better.

OUTLOOK

The big question remains. Will this side score enough goals? Even with the loss of Ugo Ehiogu, most observers think the Boro will be fine defensively. But the issues up front have to cause concern for a team that didn't do so hot in that role last season.

If the offense starts producing, though, the sky is the limit. This is a squad with the talent to get into Europe next season.

And then there is Kieta himself. Will he ably lead this squad through the trials of a lengthy English football fixture, or will his own need to learn ont he job hinder the squad?

At this point, the Boro remain one of the EPL's mysteries. And it's likely going to be a while before the supporters really know what this club, and its new manager, are made of.

Boro Notes

The Boro will be a part of the Carling Cup second round drawing today.

Forty-eight English clubs from the Third Division and up to the bottom twelve Premier League sides in last season's standings will be involved in the draw.

This is the first time the 12 EPL sides are included in the Carling Cup draw. They are joining the 36 winners from the first round.

The second round will be played on September 23.

[Chief Rum]

SATURDAY, August 16, 2003

Tottenham at Middlesbrough

When: 3:00 p.m.
Where: Riverside Stadium
Forecast: Dry 25º C
Middlesbrough Out: DC Ugo Ehiogu, ML Allan Johnston, ML Lionel Morgan
Tottenahm Out: SC Fred Kanoute, DC Gregg Berhalter

Outlook: The Premiership opener for both clubs should be an eye-opener for both as well. The two sides have been roughly comparable in the predictions of most of the pundits. The Cockerels are led by striker Robbie Keane and winger Simon Davies.

FA Barclaycard Premiership Game of the Round

Manchester United at Arsenal

The two English superpowers get together with a chance to make a statement about the early leader in the Premiership. The match, which will be played Sunday at Highbury Park, is also a rematch of the two clubs in the English Community Shield. Last week, Arsenal defeated Man U 2-1 at Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales in English football's annual kickoff meeting between the winner of the Premier League and the FA Cup from the previous season.

The Rest Of The Games

Bolton at Aston Villa
Birmingham at Blackburn
Leicester at Chelsea
Tottenham at Middlesbrough
Charlton at Newcastle
Fulham at Portsmouth
Everton at Wolverhampton
Leeds at Liverpool (Sunday)
Southampton at Manchester City (Sunday)

[GoldenEagle]

I must say I love the depth.

[Chief Rum]

Thanks, GE. Lots more coming from that way.

CR

[Calis]

Awesome stuff Chief.

Particularly loved reading the preview, great work.

Chelsea looks very frightening this year.

[Chief Rum]

Thanks, Calis. I like to go in-depth, but it's more rewarding to do that work when you know someone's actually reading it.

Chelsea is very frightening. It's just wrong to not only have that much money about, but to also use it.

Funniest thing about it? Chel;sea probably has five or six guys out on loan, including Zenden, and they are all major players for the sides they went to. I'm talking Premiership sides here. Zenden and Birmingham's Forsell come to mind imemdiately, but there were others, too. Just scary.

CR

[Chief Rum]

SUNDAY, August 16, 2003

Gaizka!

Lazio Midfielder Dominates Tottenham With Two Goals In Debut

MIDDLESBROUGH-- Saturday, the rest of the Premiership got a message: Gaizka Mendieta has arrived.

In one of the more memorable and dimnating debuts in recent memory, Mendieta scored two of Middlesbrough's three scores in a 3-0 victory on a hot day in front of 32,719 fans at Riverside Stadium.

The loanee from Italian power Lazio also got the assist on the third goal, an own goal by Cockerel's fullback Paul Konchesky, missed a penalty, and just missed a fifth shot that skirted over the crossbar.

"I am just happy for the fans," Mendieta said via translation. "The Boro supporters deserve a winner. I am hoping to help make that dream come true."

The 29-year-old Spaniard midfielder was off to a fast start. In the fourth minute, he blasted an in-swerve free kick into the right corner of the net from 25 yards out. A beauty of a shot, the ball curled high above Tottenham's wall from just outside the penalty area and just inside the rtight post, a moment before the Cockerels' keeper Kasey Keller could get there.

The Boro received the freekick when defender Ledley King knocked down Middlesbrough forward Michael Ricketts as he was trying to receive a long pass from centreback Gareth Southgate.

Mendieta went back to that same corner in the 22nd minute. Right fullback Danny Mills throw in a ball from the left touchline to striker Massimo Maccarone, just inside the outer left corner of the penalty area. Tottenham defender Mbulelo Mabizela beat Maccarone in the air and headed the ball back out toward the touch. Mills retrieved it and sent it on a short pass to angling winger Malcolm Christie. Under pressure, Christie flick-passed the ball on to Mendieta, who was about 30 yards out from the goal in the center of the pitch. The star of the day one-timed the shot, sending the ball flying past two Cockerels defenders and a frozen Keller for his second score of the day.

"That was just a beauty of a kick," interim Boro manager Mattew Kieta said. "It was just perfectly placed. [Keller] never had a chance. It was too fast."

The two early goals set up an exciting scene in the 31st minute when Tottenham fullback Stephen Carr slipped under a bounding Stuart Downing on an in-coming freekick from Southgate. The referee signalled for a penalty, w duty which fell to Mendieta Saturday, and giving the midfielder a chance at the hat trick on one of football's more exciting plays.

Mendieta blasted a low hard shot, but it was just to Keller's left, and he fended it off up the goal line. Maccarone leaped on the loose ball and sent a centering pass back to left wingback Franck Queudreu, who immediately ditched it off to Downing, charging into the goal box from the right. Instead of looking for his shot, though, Downing sent the abll toward Juninho in the center of the penalty area. The pass bumped on through, and Konchesky cleared it to midfield and ending the scoring chance.

Konchesky, as it turns out, would play a major part in the Boro's next scoring chance in the 36th minute. Middlesbrough received a corner kick after Carr dispossessed Downing on a nice run into the penalty area and sending the ball over the goal line. Christie's outward-swerving cross was headed by Mendieta toward the right post. Konchesky, amongst the mass of humanity placed near the goal for protection, tried to head the ball out, but misjudged it and watched in horror as his errant clear-out attempt shot back into the net past a stunned Keller.

"It was just an unfortunate play," Konchesky said. "And the way things were going for Mendieta, you kinda had to expect it, too."

Armed with a 3-0 lead, the Boro had all they needed to roll to an easy opening win in their FA Barclaycard Premiership fixture.

Mendieta ended up taking six of the Boro's seven shots. Tottenham managed just one shot on goal, and four overall, as Mark Scwarzer picked up the clean sheet. Although Mendieta was the catalyst, the entire squad was involved in what was a dominating performance over the Cockerels.

Christie and Ricketts each received an assist on one of Mendieta's goals.

For Kieta, it was his first ever professional win in English football.

"These guys have been practicing well," Kieta said of his side. "They deserved this today. Hopefully, we can carry it forward to Birmingham."

The Boro play Birmingham City in Birmingham on Wednesday night.

[Chief Rum]

SUNDAY, August 17, 2003

Not All Is Rosey In Boro Land

Despite Win, Kieta And Maccarone Spar In Media

MIDDLESBROUGH-- Kieta was all smiles Saturday after his side defeated Tottenham handily, 3-0, at Riverside Stadium--except when the issue of striker Massimo Maccarone came up.

"Massimo had a very poor match," Kieta said. "He is capable of better. I just don't think he's putting up the effort he needs to out there. He was horrible in the air. He didn't take a single shot, and he's our lead striker."

Maccarone's performance was rated a four by ratings experts, and was pulled in the 60th minute for Joseph Désiré Job.

Maccarone won just one aerial challenge in 18, was called for offsides, and was also called for a foul. As the manager noted, he didn't take a shot on goal, while midfielder Gaizka Mendieta took six.

Kieta said the subpar performance was the Italian striker's third in his past seven appearances, including friendlies against Alverca and Brechin City last month. In the six friendlies, the soon-to-be-24-year-old forward put up a 6.33 rating.

Kieta said he was going to have to warn Maccarone to start playing better.

"I'm going to have to have a sit down with Massimo, and see if we can work something out," Kieta said. "If he can't step it up and play better, I'm going to have to consider other options at the position."

Some would say Kieta is already heavy into those other considerations. The club has been linked in reports to a move on Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbanik.

Last week, Chelsea agreed to transfer deals with both Middlesbrough and Dutch power Ajax. The veteran striker is currently considering contract offers from both clubs. Hasselbaink started for Chelsea last season, scoring 11 goals in 36 matches, but he has been demoted to the reserves by a series of high-profile transfers by the club this past offseason.

Maccarone was understandably less than pleased about the manager's words.

"This is bull," Maccarone angrily told reporters. "I had a bad day. These things happen. I don't think it's fair I have been singled out this way."

Maccarone said he didn't think this would happen under past manager Steve McLaren, whom Kieta replaced after the former had to go on holiday with an undisclosed serious illness in July.

"Steve showed us respect," Maccarone said. "What Kieta is doing, this isn't respectful. I don't deserve to be treated this way."

Maccarone said he may have to consider his situation with Middlesbrough.

"Right now, I don't know if I can continue playing here if this is how things are going to be done," the striker said. "I'm going to have to consider my options."

Maccarone led the Boro with nine goals last season, his first with the club. He scored 26 goals in two seasons with Italian club Empoli before that. He is thought to be a young player with high-end potential.

Boro Draw Sheffield United In Carling Cup

While the Boro were manhandling Tottenham, the drawing for the second round of the Carling Cup was held Saturday.

Middlesbrough will play First Division side Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in Sheffield on September 23.

The Carling Cup is an England-only competition involving all league teams. The Boro were just one of 12 Premiership sides that were included in the draw, along with the 36 winners from the first round. The remaining Premiership sides, the top eight from last season's standings, get byes into the third round of the competition.

Downing Hurt

Middlesbrough left winger Stuart Downing may be out for a couple weeks, the club's top physio Grant Downie said after the match Saturday.

Downing sprained his ankle in the Boro's 3-0 win. He stayed in the game, but the ankle swelled up in the locker room afterward.

Downing went down in the 35th minute, courtesy of a Simon Davies trip that got the Tottenham winger carded a yellow.

With Lionel Morgan also out for the rest of the month, the left wing spot will be a little light in the mean time. The likely starter will be Chelsea loan Boudewijn Zenden.

[Chief Rum]

SUNDAY, August 17, 2003

FA Barclaycard Action Recap

Aston Villa 3, Bolton 1 Two late goals by Marcus Allback clinched this one for the Villans after it looked like it would end up a scoreless draw. The first goal of the match, played at Villa Park in Birmingham, wasn't scored until Darius Vassell got a goal in the 77th minute. Allback put the Villans up 2-0, and scored again to put it away after Bolton got an own goal from Villa's goalkeeper Thomas Sorenson. Villa dominated the match, with 14 shots on goal to just four by Bolton.

Birmingham 3, Blackburn 2 Birmingham City pulled off a big road upset over Blackburn when Stern John got a big score in the final seconds of the match. The Rovers had overcome an early 2-0 deficit to tie it up 2-2 before along John's winning goal in the 90th minute. Both early Blues goals were scored by striker Clinton Morrison. Blackburn got goals from defender Lucas Neill and striker Andrew Cole.

Chelsea 3, Leicester 1 The Blues of Chelsea greeted new Premiership side Leicester roughly Saturday, stomping them at Stamford Bridge in London. Chelsea got goals from midfielder Claude Makélélé, defender John Terry and striker Eidur Gudjohnsen to take a 3-0 lead. Striker James Scowcraft scored for the Foxes in the 79th minute to break up Carlos Cudicini's clean sheet.

Middlesbrough 3, Tottenham 0 Boro midfielder Gaizka Mendieta dominated the Cockerels at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough Saturday. He scored two goals in his debut with the Boro, and got an assist on an own goal by Tottenham fullback Paul Konchesky. Mark Schwarzer picked up the clean sheet.

Newcastle 3, Charlton 2 The Magpies used a string of three goals in the middle of the match to overcome an early deficit and late comeback by the Addicks at St. James Park in Newcastle. Forwards Darren Ambrose and Craig Bellamy both scored just before halftime to put the Magpies up 2-1, and then forward Lomana LuaLua scored in the second minute of the second half to put it away. Charlton got scores from defender Gary Rowett and striker Carlton Cole, the latter of which brought the Foxes to within one.

Portsmouth 2, Fulham 0 The Pompey played tight defense and goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek got the clean sheet after facing just six shots from the visiting Cottagers. Fulham was lucky to have the match stay close after the Pompey bombarded Fulham keeper Edwin van der Ser with 14 shots, 12 on goal, in Portsmouth's Premiership debut. Both Pompey goals were scored by striker Svetoslav Todorov in the second half.

Wolverhampton 1, Everton 1 The Blues of Everton were left to wonder what might have been after midfielder Thomas Gravesen missed a penalty in the 4th minute. The match in Wolverhampton would stay scoreless well into the second half before Wolves' striker Jimmi-Lee Jones scored to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. It was short-lived, though, as the Blues' star young striker Wayne Rooney blasted int he equalizer in the 71st minute.

Injuries & Suspensions

Boro winger Stuart Downing suffered a sprained ankle against Tottenham and will miss two weeks. The rest of the injuries in Saturday's action were day-to-day.

No one was booted Saturday.

Today's Matches

Manchester United at Arsenal
Leeds United at Liverpool
Southampton at Manchester City

[Chief Rum]

MONDAY, August 18, 2003

Hasselbaink Goes Dutch

Striker Turned Down Offer From Boro To Go To Ajax

LONDON-- Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink ended days of speculation Sunday when he agreed to a new contract with Dutch power Ajax.

The Dutch striker rejected a similar offer from Middlesbrough.

Hasselbaink, 31, signed a £1.2 M per season contract through the 2004-05 season, completing a £1 M conditional transfer to Chelsea.

"Ajax is one of the top clubs in the world," Hasselbaink. "It was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up."

Hasselbaink said he had nothing but good things to say about interim Boro manager Matthew Kieta and the club's entreaties to the 31-year-old veteran scorer.

"They are a good club going in the right direction," Hasselbaink said. "If I didn't feel Ajax was so right for me, I would have enjoyed playing in Riverside Stadium."

Hasselbaink scored 11 goals in 36 matches for Chelsea last season. Because of a string of high-profile transfers by the rich club, though, Hasselbaink was looking at a reserve spot before Chelsea decided to place him on the transfer list.

Prior to last season, Hasselbaink was one of the top forwards in the Premiership, scoring 20 or more goals in both 2000-01 and 2001-02 for the Blues. He also scored 34 goals in two seasons for Leeds United from 1997-99.

Kieta said he was disappointed in the striker's decision but that he understood why he made the choice he did.

"He's back among people of the same heritage as him, and he gots to play for one of the best clubs in the world," Kieta said. "It's a good move for him."

Kieta said the Boro offer to Hasselbaink was comparable to the one he accepted from Ajax, but would not get into specifics.

Losing out on Hasselbaink introduces a new wrinkle into Kieta's plans to upgrade the talent at Riverside Stadium. Kieta may not be able to get another striker in before the European transfer window closes on August 31.

That could be particularly painful considering Kieta and lead Boro striker Massimo Maccarone had a falling out Saturday after the manager criticized Maccarone's effort in the Boro's 3-0 win over Tottenham.

Maccarone said Saturday he is considering his options on whether to request to leave the club because of Saturday's incident, although it will likely be just as difficult to move Maccarone out before the transfer window closes as it will be to bring someone new in.

Kieta refused to comment Sunday on what he would do if Maccarone demanded to leave the club, or what targets he might have in mind to go after in the wake of losing Hasselbaink.

Boro Under-19's Fall To Morecambe

The Middlesbrough Under-19ss lost their season opener Sunday to the Morecambe Under-19's 3-1.

Forward Niklas Nordgren, 18, got the Boro off to a good start with a goal in the 16th minute, but it wasn't enough to stave off the hometown squad at Christie Park.

Morecambe striker Garry Hunter scored in the 45th minute and 60th minute to give them the lead, and then James Appleyard shut it down for a good with a clincher in the 81st minute.

Nordgren was by far the most impressive player on the pitch for the young Boro.

[Chief Rum]

MONDAY, August 18, 2003

FA Barclaycard Action Recap

Arsenal 2, Manchester United 0 The Gunners won a tight defensive duel at Highbury Sunday, defeating the Red Devils for the second time in eight days in a match which yielded just nine total shots. Forward Kanu broke through United's defenses late in the first half to score two quick goals in the 35th and 41st minutes. The tone-setting win by Arsenal comes just over a week after these same two clubs met for the English Community Shield. The Gunners won that match, 2-1.

Leeds United 2, Liverpool 1 Who's selling all their top players? United pulled off perhaps the upset of the weekend when they went into Anfield and came away with a tough victory over the Reds and former Leeds star winger Harry Kewell. Liverpool broke a tight scoreless match in the 63rd minute when star striker Michael Owen got his first goal. Leeds was quick to respond, though, as striker Alan Smith tied it up again at the 69th minute. It looked like the match would go to a draw until star Leeds striker Mark Viduka stunned the Anfield crowd by scoring with just seconds left in the match to give the road squad a shocking upset victory.

Southampton 2, Manchester City 1 City found it could only score goals on Sunday on penalties and on own goals--and the latter go to the Saints. Manchester City striker Antoine Sibierski scored a penalty to give the home side an early lead in the fifth minute, but they promptly gave it back int he 15th minute when City keeper Nicky Weaver inadvertently knocked the ball back into his own net for the equaliser. Still, it seemed headed to a draw before Saints' star striker James Beattie finally managed to get past Weaver in the 83rd minute to clinch a big road win for Southampton.

Injuries & Suspensions

There were no major injuries or suspensions in Sunday's action.

[Chief Rum]

MONDAY, August 18, 2003

It's Done: Lúcio To Newcastle

NEWCASTLE-- Star defender Lúcio is finally on his way to the Magpies after his second application for a work permit was approved by the English Football Association on Sunday.

The addition of the versatile scoring backliner essentially solves Newcastle's lack of star power among its defensive crew and turns the Magpies into a much more dangerous club.

Newcastle negotiated the transfer of the 25-year-old Brazilian centreback from Leverkusen of the Bundesliga last month, but Lúcio's first application for a work permit, as is required of all non-European Union players moving to the English leagues, was denied on August 3.

Lúcio, a veteran of 29 matches with his homeland Brazil's powerful national side, scored three goals in 21 matches last season with Leverkusen. He scored an unorthodox 12 goals as a defender for the German power in three seasons.

"I am so happy to finally be here," the defender said told gathered fans through an interpreter at a rally at St. James Park. "I want to get to work, to repay you all for your enthusiasm and to bring the Premiership trophy to Newcastle."

The Magpies paid Leverkusen a handsome £10.5 M transfer fee for the world-class defender, above and beyond the £1.6 M, three-year deal they inked Lúcio to on Sunday.

"I think we can really match up well with the top sides in this league," Newcastle's ancient manager Bobby Robson said. "I thought we were good enough before, but this really puts us up even higher."

Lúcio appeared in two early matches for Leverkusen before his transfer, averaging seven tackles and a 7.50 rating, but going scoreless.

Other English Football Notes

The Pompey of Portsmouth have loaned out Welsh veteran midfielder Carl Robinson to former Premiership side West Bromich Albion on Sunday.

The 26-year-old will remain with the First Division side for three months.

This is Robinson's third loan out in two seasons. Last season, he had stints with both First Division Walsall and Second Division Sheffield Wednesday. He appeared in 11 matches, with one goal, for Walsall, and in four matches and one goal with Sheffield Wednesday.

He also appeared in 15 matches for Portsmouth--also First Division at the time--and going scoreless.

[Calis]

Got to say, I'm glad you lost out on the race for Hasselbaink. I'm not a fan.

[SirFozzie]

Go you Boro!!!

Chelsea scare the hell out of me too.

[Chief Rum]

Calis: To be honest, by the time I lost out on him, I was kinda hoping I would, too. He was the best I found early on, but I wasn't always looking in the right places. I have little enough transfer funds as it is.

Keep reading guys.

CR

[Chief Rum]

TUESDAY, August 19, 2003

Maccarone, Juninho Unsettled Over Future Of Club

MIDDLESBROUGH-- Monday morning, striker Massimo Maccarone said he would welcome a chance to move clubs, but he would not demand it.

The Boro forward is still upset over comments interim manager Matthew Kieta made to reporters about Maccarone's performance Saturday and in preseason friendlies.

"I am uncomfortable with the environment [Kieta] has put in place with this club," Maccarone said. "I will continue to play and play hard for the fans as long as I am here, but I am not making it a secret I would like to leave the club."

The 23-year-old said Kieta had yet to apologize for his remarks Saturday. Kieta was critical of Maccarone's effort after the striker won just one header in 18 aerial challenges, and didn't take a single shot on goal in the Boro's 3-0 win over Tottenham at Riverside Stadium. The manager also said Maccarone had had two other such performances int he preseason, and suggested he would need to play better to stay with the first eleven.

Kieta refused to comment on Maccarone's announcement Monday. That was not the case with emotional leader Juninho though.

The midfielder that he was concerned the public fight could hurt club chemistry, and that he also feared that the club itself would not be able to continue to compete for the Premiership crown with finances as they are.

"We have a good side here," Juninho said. "We need to keep these guys together. Look at what Gaizka did. Do we have the funds to keep a guy like that here when his loan is up? I doubt it."

Juninho said he didn't think the club could compete if it had to start selling off its top players.

Chairman Steve Gibson acknowledged the club does not have the resources of Manchester United or Arsenal or Chelsea, some of the richest clubs in the world, but he said the Brazilian midfielder was just being an alarmist.

"We'll keep the guys we need to keep," Gibson said Monday. "If we get a good group of guys here, I am prepared to keep them here and see what they can do."

Gibson made roughly £5 M available to Kieta in the transfer market, and promised that three-fourths of transfer fees gained by selling off players would likewise be moved over to transfer funds. After bringing in three younger prospects from First Division Wimbledon and veteran fullback Salvatore Fresi from Juventus, the manager has about £3.5 M left to play with this season.

[Chief Rum]

WEDNESDAY, August 20, 2003

Boro Still Exploring Striker Options

MIDDLESBROUGH-- Interim Boro manager Matthew Kieta said he was continuing to look at bringing in a lead striker before the transfer deadline passes on August 31.

The manager addressed the striker issue and his recent sparring with striker Massimo Maccarone at his weekly preess conference Tuesday, among other issues.

Middlesbrough lost out in an attempt to bring in Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on Sunday. Hasselbaink decided to sign with Dutch power Ajax instead of moving to the Boro.

"We're keeping our eyes out," Kieta said. "Expect more offers. Will we get something done in time? Hard to say. But we're looking."

Kieta has been searching for a frontline scorer since the end of the club's preseason fixture. None of the Boro's forward options clearly established their positions in the first eleven with consistent play up front.

That search becam e a motivated one Monday when a public spat between the manager and Maccarone led to the striker to say he would "welcome leaving the club."

"I feel the same way now that I did Saturday," Kieta said. "We need Massimo to stay in top form. He's quite capable when he's on his game, but lately he hasn't been."

Kieta said he has no intention to allow Maccarone to leave the club at the moment.

"He's angry at me right now, and I understand that," Kieta said. "But I know he can help this club. I'm not going to make any rash decisions with a player with talent like Maccarone has."

Kieta said the mood in the engine room remained high after Saturday's strong win over Tottenham.

"It was a good start to the season," Kieta said. "I am hoping we can build on it with good play tomorrow in Birmingham."

The Boro will play their first road match tonight at St. Andrews.

Boro Reserves Handle Everton Easily

Middlesbrough's reserves had pretty much as easy a time with Everton's second team as the first team did with Tottenham Saturday.

The Boro reserves beat Evrton 3-0 at Haig Avenue in Southport on Tuesday, jumping out to an early lead and never letting up.

Striker Danny Graham and forward Craig Dove both scored in the first 30 minutes of the match, and the Boro went into halftime with a 2-0 lead. Fullback Peter Masters got the third goal with a penalty in the 48th minute.

Former Wimbledon defensive midfielder Dean Lewington made his debut in the match, his first since he was transferred to Middlesbrough earlier this month. Lewington played well, assistant manager Steve Harrison said.

Lewington did have to leave the pitch with a shin bruise in the 85th minute, but it's not expected to keep him out of any practice or future matches.

English Football Notes

Aston Villa came to a future transfer agreement for Korean defensive midfielder Kim Nam-Il on Tuesday.

The Villans have signed away the midfielder on a free from Chunnam, currently leading the Korean K-League, but the transfer won't officially go through until January 1, 2004.

The 26-year-old is a veteran of 42 international matches for South Korea. He had four goals and five assists in 26 appearances for Chunnam this past season. He also played in seven matches on loan with Dutch First Division side Excelsior, going scoreless.

[daedalus]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

1. Arsenal

I like the way you think!

I'm sad that you left out Freddie in favour of Wiltord and Lauren in your preview, though.

Maybe you can loan in Jeremie Aliadiere from the Gunners so I can have someone to follow and cheer on!

Woodgate-Lúcio should make for a strong central defense for NUFC.

[Chief Rum]

WEDNESDAY, August 20, 2003

Middlesbrough at Birmingham

When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: St. Andrews, Birmingham
Forecast: 10º C
Middlesbrough Out: DC Ugo Ehiogu, ML Allan Johnston, ML Lionel Morgan, ML Stuart Downing
Birmingham Out: None

Outlook: The Blues pulled off an impressive road victory over Blackburn, a club that has been picked by many to finish in the top six of the Premiership this season, beating them 302 in the season oepner for both clubs. Striker Stern John scored a 90th minute goal to stun the Rovers. John's frontline partner Clint Morrison scored both of the Blues' other goals. The Boro are coming off of a strong home win over Tottenham. Midfielder Gaizka Mendieta dominated the match, with two goals and an assist in the 3-0 win.

FA Barclaycard Premiership Game of the Round

Arsenal at Southampton

Arsenal set the tone with two straight victories over fellow superpower Manchester United, including a 2-0 win in their home opener Sunday. Now the Gunners will play another team expected to be in the top ten mix in the Premiership this season in Southampton. The Saints beat Manchester City, 2-1, in Manchester Sunday. Kanu led the way for Arsenal, scoring both goals against United. Southampton won on an 83rd minute score by star striker James Beattie.

The Rest of the Matches

Middlesbrough at Birmingham
Chelsea at Bolton
Wolverhampton at Charlton
Portsmouth at Everton
Blackburn at Fulham
Newcastle at Leeds
Liverpool at Leicester
Aston Villa at Manchester United
Manchester City at Tottenham

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by daedalus

I like the way you think!

I'm sad that you left out Freddie in favour of Wiltord and Lauren in your preview, though.

Maybe you can loan in Jeremie Aliadiere from the Gunners so I can have someone to follow and cheer on!

Woodgate-Lúcio should make for a strong central defense for NUFC.

Gunner fan, eh? Yeah, there are so many good players on Arsenal, it's easy to leave out a few. Ljungberg is going to have a fine season as well, I'm sure. It was tough to tell whether he or Wiltord started a lot on the right, and I don't know enough about English football in real life to automatically figure it out myself (although I am learning...).

Funny you should mention Aliadere...

I think Lucio could be the missing link for Newcastle. They could be very good with him back there. I agree, Woodgate-Lucio is a great pairing in front of the net.

Arsenal looks like the team to beat, though, just like in real life. They just have ridiculous talent.

CR

[Chief Rum]

THURSDAY, August 21, 2003

Boro Drop First Road Match

Birmingham Scores Two Second Half Goals to Win, 3-1

BIRMINGHAM-- For the second straight game, Birmingham won with two goals by striker Clinton Morrison and a late clinching goal by forward Stern John.

The Blues performed the scoring chart repetition Wednesday when they defeated Middlesbroough, 3-1, in front of 28,162 at St. Andrews in Birmingham.

The Blues won in similar fashion against Blackburn Saturday.

Birmingham jumped to the early lead in the 22nd minute. Goalkeeper Maik Taylor initiated the play with a sharp long kick up to winger Christophe Duggary near the right touchline at the centerline. Duggary turned and lofted a pass toward striker Mikaell Forsell, whom had slipped behind Boro defender Chris Riggott and was headed for the goal line. With all attention on Forsell, Clinton Morrison was able to get a step into the prime target area in front of the goal. Forsell sent a low centering pass to Morrison.

Morrison intercepted the pass and half-volleyed a blast right past Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer, who appeared to misjudge the shot direction.

Despite the rough start, it was the Boro that had the best chances in the first half, ending the half with nine shots to the Blues' seven.

Their work was finally rewarded in the 40th minute when striker Massimo Maccarone got some redemption with his first score of the season. Interim manager Matthew Kieta criticized Maccarone for his lackluster effort and performance in the Boro's match against Tottenham Saturday.

After a breakaway in which fellow forward Joseph-Désiré Job missed an easy opportunity at a goal, the Boro received a corner. Winger Boudewijn Zenden, starting in place of injured winger Stuart Downing, sent an in-swerving cross toward the near post. Forsell attempted to clear the ball out with a header, but misjudged the play. Maccarone just outside the box in the penalty area, got up in the air for the ball and headed it sharply into the left corner, just passed Birmingham defender Kenny Cunningham and a frozen Taylor.

The equaliser and the impressive effort on the part of the team gave the Boro the momentum as they entered the lockerrom at halftime.

Kieta would take the blame for what happened next.

"I switched tactics," Kieta said. "I went to a more defensive one-four-five, in the hopes of protecting our goal for the draw, which I understand is very desirable on the road in this tough league. It turned out to be a mistake."

And that's an understatement. The Blues came forward hard in the second half after they weren;t forced to deal with the Boro's strong attack from the first half.

Morrison got his second goal in the 60th minute to put the Blues ahead for good.

Cunningham received a half-pitch-length goal kick from Schwarzer near the right touchline. He sent a short centering pass to midfielder David Dunn. Dunn went on a strong run toward the penalty area, angling out toward the edge and drawing pressure from Job. Unfortunately for Boro fans, it also drew the attention of Salvatore Fresi, who was helping Gareth Southgate mark Morrison int he penalty area. Fresi stepped forward to intercept Dunn, allowing Morrison to get a small step to the goal line on Southgate. Dunn slipped a through pass to Morrison who struck a sharp-angle shot at the far post. Schwarzer intercepted the shot, but the blast caromed off of him and into the net for Morrison's second goal of the match, and a 2-1 Birmingham lead.

Kieta switched back to the Boro's standard 4-4-2 attack soon after, but the damage was done. John would add his goal in the 81st minute to clinch it, an impressive bit of work in which John received a centering cross from Morrison and then proceeded to test Schwarzer on two straight shots before finally putting in the second rebound for the score.

Kieta said that last goal frustrated him the most.

"It was a one-goal match," Kieta said. "We were still in that one. There is absolutely no reason for their striker to be in that box unmolested by our defense. To get even one rebound off of your own shot is bad enough, but two? I feel sorry for Schwarzer. He deserved better on that play after making two great saves."

Boro defenders George Boateng and Chris Mills were closest to the striker when the goal-box exchange took place.

The second half numbers bore out the change in tactics. The Blues outshot the Boro 10-1 in the half, finsihing with a 17-10 edge. They spent much of the day in Middlesbrough's defensive third, particularly int he second half.

Kieta said the only thing he really liked about the match was Maccarone's goal.

"It was nice to see Massimo really play hard today," Kieta said. "He earned that goal the hard way. He took two shots today. He played with energy. That's the Maccarone I heard about before I came here [to Middlesbrough]."

Birmingham played a particularly brutal physical match with the Boro, inflicting 13 fouls and drawing three yellow cards. No one was hurt for either side, though.

The Boro are off until Monday, when they get a marquee primetime matchup with Fulham at Riverside Stadium.

Gulliver Breaks Ankle, Out Four Months

Boro reserve defender Phil Gulliver broke his ankle in training Wednesday.

The centreback was particpating in a Shadow exercise when he took a misstep and his ankle collapsed under his weight.

The 20-year-old will be out of action until January. He started in the reserves' win over Everton Tuesday, collecting 3 tackles and a 6 rating. As with the rest of the reserve squad, it was his only appearance so far this season.

Football Notes

French La Ligue One power Auxerre has signed on some scoring help to partly replace the talents of departed striker Djibril Cissé, whom they sold to Chelsea last month.

The French club signed American forward Damarcus Beasley away from Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire for £3.6 M.

The 21-year-old American star forward and winger has already established himself as one of the best players for the United States national team, for whom he already has 21 appearances.

Beasley has scored three goals in international competition. He signed a three-year, £375,000 per annum contract with the French side.

Auxerre will have to wait for another month to try out their new acquisition, however. Beasley broke his jaw in the United States' 2-0 victory over Mexico in the Gold Cup on July 20, and is expected to be out well into September.

[3ric]

Too bad about Hasselbaink! Take a look at Celtic's Henrik Larsson instead, his contract will be up in 2004.

[Calis]

Originally Posted by 3ric

Too bad about Hasselbaink! Take a look at Celtic's Henrik Larsson instead, his contract will be up in 2004.

If you signed Larsson, that would catapult this to my favorite dynasty of all time.

Usually he gets transferred before the contract ends from everything I've seen though.

[Chief Rum]

Larrson?!? Dare I dream? That guy's a great scorer.

I didn't know his contract would be up, so I will definitely shortlist him and keep an eye out. He probably won't be transferred before his contract is up, unless a future transfer is done (which is also quite possible). The window for this transfer round is almost over.

But I can't imagine the little ole Boro could sneak in there to get that guy with sides like Man U and Arsenal and Chelsea throwing their weight around.

But we'll see. I already know I can't afford him in transfer right now. I would almsot certainly have to wait for the Bosman window.

CR

[Chief Rum]

THURSDAY, August 21, 2003

FA Barclaycard Action Recap

Birmingham 3, Middlesbrough 1 The Blues got another two goals from striker Clinton Morrison, giving him four goals on the early season, and pulled away from what had been a tight match at halftime with two second-hald goals at St. Andrews in Birmingham. Morrison scored his second goal and fellow forward Stern John scored the clincher late in the match. Striker Massimo Maccarone scored for the Boro. The match would have been a fun one to watch, with 27 shots, 19 fouls and four yellow cards between the two sides. Morrison's two goals garnered him the Man of the Match.

Bolton 2, Chelsea 1 The Wanderers let one of the league powers know they weren't going to let themselves get pushed around at home. Defensive midfielder Kevin Nolan scored in the 86th minute to break a tight 1-1 match and give Bolton the victory at their home Reebok Stadium. The Blues fell down early when the Wanderers' striker Jardel got his first ever Premiership goal int he 23rd mintue, but they notched it up when striker Hernan Crespo scored his first ever Premiership goal as well at the 40th minute. Bolton, won by the skin of their teeth, though--Chelsea had no less than 19 shots to Bolton's four. If the Blues were more on target--just eight of the shots were on goal--this match might have been completely different. Crespo got the Man of the Match in a losing effort.

Charlton 3, Wolverhampton 1 Penalties tend to be rare, so when the same striker gets to shoot two in one match, it's a notable occurrence. The Addicks' striker Paolo di Canio hit one in the 48th mintue, but failed in his second attempt in the 76th minute. The miss could have been critical, with Charlton just up 2-1 at the time, but two minutes later forward Kevin Lisbie put it away for good. The Addicks also got an early goal from defender Luke Young in the 17th minute. The Wolves' lone score came from striker Henri Camara in the 55th minute. The match was a particularly painful one for the visiting Wolves. Striker Steffen Iversen (thigh bruise) and defensive midfielder Paul Ince (stubbed toe) had to leave the pitch for medical reasons. Charlton fullback David Powell received the Man of the Match with 18 headers and five interceptions.

Everton 2, Portsmouth 0 Pompey keeper Shaka Hislop and Everton netminder Nigel Martyn wre engaged in a taut , scoreless defensive match when Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp pulled Hislop in the 60th minute. It was bad move, as a cold Pavel Srnicek shortly gave up the decxiding goal to midfielder Thomas Gravesen in the 68th minute. Striker Francis Jeffers clinched it with a 90th minute score, and Martyn held up for the clean sheet ina very competitive match at Goodison Park. Everton defender got the Man of the Match, with 12 headers and nine interceptions.

Blackburn 3, Fulham 1 Just a few days after losing on their own home turf, the Rovers went to Fulham's Loftus Road and took away a road win with strong form. Striker Dwight Yorke put Blackburn up early with two first half scores. Veteran striker Andrew Cole put the Rovers up three goals with a score in the 52nd minute. A 66th minute goal by midfielder Sylvain Legwinski ruined Blackburn keeper Brad Freidel's attempt at a clean sheet. Cole took seven shots and drew five fouls to steal away the Man of the Match from Yorke.

Newcastle 2, Leeds 0 Striker Alan Shearer got the Magpies off to the right start when he scored in just the fourth minute. A strong defense led by debuting centreback Lucio limited the home side Unied to just six shots. Meanwhile, the Magpies peppered Leeds' keeper Paul Robinson with 22 shots, 13 on target. It's a credit to Robisnon that he kept it close. Defender Titus Bramble got the only other score in the 74th minute. The Magpies didn't escape Elland Road unscathed, though. Forward Lomana LuaLua went down in the 34th minute with a torn groin muscle. The Man of the Match went to LuaLua's replacement, Shola Ameobi, who didn't score, but put six shots on goal and drew three fouls.

Liverpool 2, Leicester 0 The Reds recovered from their stunning home loss to Leeds to beat new Premiership side Leicester on the road. It might not have been too difficult, however, after defender Riccardo Scimeca went in two-footed on midfielder Danny Murphy while on a run. Scimeca was sent off in the 7th minute, putting the hometown Foxes at a one-man disadvantage for most of the match. The Reds outshot Leicester 14-4, and had the lead for most of the match after striker Michael Owen scored in the 15th minute. Still, they didn't put it away until midfielder Anthony Le Tallec scored in the 90th minute. Liverpool centreback Sami Hyypla was dominating on defense, with 26 headers, 4 interceptions and a tackle, to get the Man of the Match.

Manchester United 3, Aston Villa 0 The Red Devils got things going back in the right direction when they shut out the Villans at Old Trafford. The win was Man U's first this season and followed two straight losses to fellow superpower Arsenal, in the Community Shield and in the Gunners' home opener Saturday. Villa managed just three shots--and none of them on goal--against the Red Devils' tight defense. Star strikers Ruud Van Nistlerooy and Nicolas Anelka combined for three goals to lead the way. Nistlerooy picked up scores int he 30th and 74th minutes, while Anelka, who was also named the Man of the Match, got his in the 57th minute.

Arsenal 3, Southampton 1 The Gunners continued their strong start to the year by handily beating a well-regarded league opponent on the road Wednesday. The Saints were outshot 11-4 at home, as Arsenal pulled away in the second half. Forward Kanu scored the go-ahead with his third goal of the season in the 52nd minute, while winger Silvain Wiltord moved out of reach with his goal in the 56th minute. In the first half, the two sides traded goals, with winger Robert Pires of Arsenal, being matched by Saints' striker James Beattie. Kanu got the Man of the Match, and Saints keeper Antti Niemi had a particularly bad match.

Tottenham 1, Manchester City 1 The Cockerels had to fight through injuries and an early deficit to earn the home draw Wednesday. City got up early with a 26th minute score by forward Trevor Sinclair, and kept the pressure on with eight shots on goal out of nine taken for the match. Tottenham, which put only four shots on goal, didn't manage to equalise it until the 60th minute, on a goal by striker Milenko Acimovic. The Cockerels lost defender Dean Richards to a serious knee injury in the 16th minute, and then had forward Robbie Keane go off with a knock in the 88th minute. Sinclair played a strong two-way match, with two shots and three drawn fouls in addition to his score, and eight headers and three interceptions elsewhere, earning him the Man of the Match.

Injuries & Suspensions

The Wolves, as noted above, were hit very hard. Striker Steffen Iversen will miss five days with a thigh bruise, while defender Paul Ince could miss up to two weeks with a stubbed toe. Striker Henri Camara, who got a goal in the match, was diagnosed with strained knee ligaments afterwards that will shelf him for two weeks, and winger Colin Cameron also picked up a light knock.

The injury of the day, though, goes to Newcastle forward Lomana LuaLua, who tore a groin muscle in the Magpies' win over Leeds. He will miss two months of action. He has scored three goals in four league and cup match appearances.

Tottenham defender Dean Richards will also miss two weeks with a damaged knee cap. The rest of the day's injuries were day to day.

Leicester defensive midfielder Riccardo Scimeca picked up the season's first league send off with a harsh two-leg tackle on Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy. Scimeca will miss Leicester's next match, at Newcastle on Saturday, automatically, and may receive further sanctioning from the English Football Association.

[Chief Rum]

SATURDAY, August 23, 2003

Villa Signs Aberdeen's McNaughton

BIRMINGHAM-- Aston Villa signed Scottish Premier Division defender Kevin McNaughton away from Aberdeen on Friday for a fee of £1.7 M.

The 20-year-old defender is considered a young talent with a bright future. He is already physically skilled and intelligent on the pitch, although he still has a lot of work to do on technique, according to football scouts.

McNaughton has never been with anyone but Aberdeen. He has played with the first team the past three seasons, scoring a goal in 22 matches last year, and appearing in 96 matches in the three seasons.

McNaughton should help a backline that is still trying to recover from losing strong centreback Olof Mellberg to Chelsea on transfer last month.

McNaughton signed a three-year, £300,000 contract with the Villans.

Scimeca Gets Off Easy

The English Football Association decided one match was enough for Leicester City defender Riccardo Scimeca.

Scimeca was sent off in the 7th minute of Leicester's 2-0 loss to Liverpool Wednesday when he went in two-footed on a tackle on midfielder Danny Murphy.

Scimeca will miss today's match at Newcastle with the automatic one-match ban that coems with every red card, but he will be eligible to return for the Foxes' next match, at home against the Wolves next Saturday.

[Chief Rum]

SATURDAY, August 23, 2003

FA Barclaycard Premiership Game of the Round

Manchester United at Chelsea The richest club in the world goes up against the richest owner in the world in this heavyweight clash at Stamford Bridge. Both sides will be looking for redemption as well. Man U got its first win against Aston Villa with a 3-0 stomping Wednesday, but it is still smarting from having lost the Community Shield and the league opener to rival Arsenal. Chelsea is trying to recover from doing everything it could to beat Bolton ont he road Wednesday except actually win. Despite a 19-4 shots advantage, the Blues lost a shocker, 2-1, to the Wanderers. With Arsenal off to such a strong start, this is already a key match for both sides as they try to keep up.

The Rest of the Matches

Arsenal at Aston Villa
Everton at Blackburn
Bolton at Liverpool
Birmingham at Manchester City
Leicester at Newcastle
Southampton at Tottenham
Charlton at Portsmouth (Sunday)
Leeds at Wolverhampton (Sunday)
Fulham at Middlesbrough (Monday)

[daedalus]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Gunner fan, eh? Yeah, there are so many good players on Arsenal, it's easy to leave out a few. Ljungberg is going to have a fine season as well, I'm sure. It was tough to tell whether he or Wiltord started a lot on the right, and I don't know enough about English football in real life to automatically figure it out myself (although I am learning...).

"Standard" starting lineup has Pires on the left, Ljungberg on the right and Bergkamp partnering Henry up front. Wiltord usually bounces back and forth between wing and forward, much to his chagrin as he considers himself a striker. Between Freddie's brittleness and Dennis' non-flying status, he usually gets a good number of games in. Unfortunately for him, Wiltord has been hurt much of this year. Hopefully that won't hamper his chance for a decent contract this summer, though the team he'd like to join (PSG) can't afford his asking price. [And, no, I have no desire to see the Boss make any attempt to keep Mssr Wiltord.]

Nice to see Kanu getting a chance in the game, just as he is in real life. I think he makes an excellent strike partner for Titi.

[Calis]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Larrson?!? Dare I dream? That guy's a great scorer.

I didn't know his contract would be up, so I will definitely shortlist him and keep an eye out. He probably won't be transferred before his contract is up, unless a future transfer is done (which is also quite possible). The window for this transfer round is almost over.

But I can't imagine the little ole Boro could sneak in there to get that guy with sides like Man U and Arsenal and Chelsea throwing their weight around.

But we'll see. I already know I can't afford him in transfer right now. I would almsot certainly have to wait for the Bosman window.

CR

Yep, he's gone the end of this year. Which irl is quite depressing to me because he's stated numerous times he's done at Celtic. Think he wants to move back to Sweden.

I'm surprised no one has bought him in your game yet, as he always gets bought early in my CM games. You might have a shot then!

Tough loss against Birmingham also. I thought that was one you guys had a good shot of pulling some points out of.

[daedalus]

He got bought early in my game (01/02) as well, by . . . me. Paid 15 for him at the time.

My rotation of Henry, Bergkamp and Larsson rocked.

[Chief Rum]

daedalus: That doesn't surprise me about their lineup. I'm sure Freddie's getting time. And, yeah, Kanu is definitely getting time and doing damage when he's in there. I'm not too anxious to play that squad.

Henry, Bergkamp and Larsson?!? That's just so, so wrong.

BTW, Titi? Is that a nickname for Henry? What's the story behind that? Sounds weird (maybe it's French ).

Calis: Although it never registered with me that his contract must be up, I do remember reading about Larsson and his future plans int he paper one of these past weeks. The report said he was seriously contemplating retirement from football altogether. Ouch. I know some people like guys going out at their peak. I hate it. Stay until you're old and gray, I say (yes, I know that all rhymes...eh...)

It does appear that Lqarsson is staying put through the early period. I won't pin my hopes on him, but I will have to consider going after him aggressively if he becomes available.

Birmingham was a disappointing match. As I hinted at in the article, I switched tactics in the second half, andf I think that screwed things up. Or maybe Birmingham woke up. I don't know. All I know is that after starting slow, the last 30 minutes of the first half was all Boro runs. I should have stuck with what was working, but I felt like I should go with something defensive to protect the draw on the road. Kinda like the zone defense.

Next time, I think I will stay aggressive, figuring the best defense is a good offense, or however it goes.

As for Birmingham itself, I suppose that might be a possible win in real life, but they have started off with good form in this league. Beating Blackburn on the road to open the season was pretty significant, I think. I was happy we were playing with them, even if my stupid tactics switching may have cost us the match.

More to come.

CR

[Chief Rum]

SUNDAY, August 24, 2003

Boro Linked To Hot Colombian Striker

Jairo Fernando Castillo Might Be Club's Next Target

CALI, Colombia-- Middlesbrough have made an offer to Colombian First Division side América de Cali for their star striker Jairo Fernando Castillo, according to reports out of Colombia on Saturday.

Castillo, 25, is a versatile forward whom has already established himself as a rising star for Colombia's national side, scoring six goals in 22 international appearances.

América de Cali, however, has reportedly not been too anxious to move the striker, and are rumored to have turned down an offer from the Boro for over £3 M. Observers believe Castillo would draw a fee in the area of £3 M to 4 M at the minimum.

Interim Boro manager Matthew Kieta refused to comment Saturday, saying he had not committed to any one target for the frontline.

Last week, former Chelsea star striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink chose to go to Dutch power Ajax instead of the Boro. Kieta has been looking for help up front, where some of the regulars from last season have not performed to the manager's expectations.

Observers say Castillo is an explosive forward with excellent physical skills and great technique that would work well in the Premiership. Castillo has 17 goals, three assists, and a 7.50 rating in 34 matches for América de Cali this season. The Colombian First Division plays from January to December.

Castillo has 50 goals in 109 appearances in five season, all in South America, including four with América de Cali.

Even if the Boro succeed in prying Castillo away from the Colombian club, it will be difficult to get the transfer completed before the transfer deadline next Sunday. Castillo, as a player from outside of the European Union would need a work permit. If the permit were not granted immediately, as it sometimes is for more popular or skilled players, his application would be required to be reviewed by the English Football Association.

The association traditionally sets work permit reviews two weeks after the transfer agreement is announced, which would be well after the deadline had passed.

For that reason, it is thought that any transfer involving Castillo would bring him over to the Boro at the end of the Colombian season, which coincidentally runs close to the opening of the next transfer window in January.

Under-19s Beat Birmingham

The Boro's Under-19 squad one-upped the first team by actually beating their Birmingham counterparts on the road Saturday, ina tight 1-0 contest.

The top Boro squad fell to the Blues' top team Wednesday in their first road match of the young season.

Captain and goalkeeper David Knight was unbeatable, earning the clean sheet while facing off seven shots, four of which were on goal.

The Boro took eight shots, with six on the mark. Striker Danny Reed's 55th minute strike slipped through the Birmingham defense for the only score of the match at Damson Park in Solihul.

[Chief Rum]

SUNDAY, August 24, 2003

FA Barclaycard Action Recap

Arsenal 5, Aston Villa 3 Is there a worse way to lose a game than to be up two goals on one of the best sides in the world at home, but you are unable to hold it? That's what happened to Villa Saturday. Striker Juan Pablo Angel and midfielder Gavin McCann put the home team up 2-0 over Arseanl at the 34th minute. But then it came apart. The key to the collapse was forward Sylvain Wiltord, who singlehandedly brought the Gunners back with goals in the 36th and 51st minutes. Then wingers Mikel Arteta and Robert Pires scored two minutes apart, in the 67th and 69th minutes, to give Arsenal four straight scores for the 4-2 lead. The Villans showed heart in coming back then, getting back in one with a 73rd minute strike by strike Darius Vassell. But then they watched as their own defender, Jonathon Bewers, accidentally clinched it for the Gunners with an own goal in the 80th minute. As if that hurt enough, Aston Villa also lost young winger Peter Whittingham in the 88th minute with a groin injury. Wiltord received the Man of the Match.

Blackburn 3, Everton 0 Three days after just losing a clean sheet at Fulham in a 3-1 win, the Rover defense and goalkeeper Brad Friedel got their clean sheet in impressive form against the Blues of Everton. The visitors barely made a squeak against that defense, with just two shots, and only one of them actually requiring Friedel to make a stop. Blackburn got off to the early lead ona 12th minute score by forward Matt Jensen. New star midfielder Barry Ferguson finished it off, with his first ever goals for the Rovers, in the 38th and 66th minutes. Jensen received the Man of the Match, with a solid all around match at both ends of the pitch.

Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1 The Blues fought the powerful Red Devils o a scoreless draw for much of the match, but they couldn't keep it up. Star strikers Nicolas Anelka and Ruud van Nistlerooy sent Chelsea reeling with goals in the 51st and 56th minute. The Blues got back within one courtesy of star midfielder Juan Sebastián Verón--getting his first of the season against his old mates--in the 78th minute, but it was too little, too late. Despite playing in the comforts of Stamford Bridge, Chelsea managed just three total shots in the match. Centreback Mikael Silvestre took the Man of the Match, with 16 headers, three interceptions and an assist.

Liverpool 3, Bolton 1 The Reds obliterated the Wanderers on the pitch, at least with shots taken. Liverpool piled up 23 shots--with 13 on goal-- against Bolton's four at Anfield Saturday. Even so, the home squad was knotted up in a tight 1-1 tie until winger John Arne Riise scored the go-ahead goal in the waning minutes of the forst half to put them up. Striker Milan Baros put it away with a score in the 51st minute. Early on, Liverpool got a penalty goal from striker Michael Owen, but midfielder Kevin Nolan got it back for Bolton with a strike in the 25th minute. Riise got the Man of the Match with seven headers, nine interceptions, and four runs in addition to his difference-making goal.

Manchester City 1, Birmingham 0 Despite playing in the unfriendly confines of the City of Manchester Stadium and having defender Matthew Upson sent off in the 62nd minute, the Blues still outshot City, 10-9. In the end, it did them little good, though, as Manchester City midfielder Paul Bosvelt got the only goal in a tense, close match. Bosvelt got his first ever goal for City in the 43rd minute--before Upson was sent off for tripping striker Antoine Sibierski. Wingback Michael Tarnat got the Man of the Match with six tackles, 16 headers and four interceptions.

Newcastle 2, Leicester 2 The Foxes got their first taste of success in the Premiership, and they did it on the road against one of the top clubs in the league--and the Magpies needed an 87th minute strike by forward Craig Bellamy to even get that much. James Scowcraft was the star for Leicester, as the striker scored the tie goal in the 32nd minute and the go-ahead shot in the 57th minute. Midfielder Darren Ambrose got the other Newcastle score in the 31st minute. The Magpies outshot Leicester, 13-6, but the visitors made their shots count. Scowcraft received the Man of the Match.

Tottenham 2, Southampton 0 The Cockerels and Saints combined for just seven total shots as Tottenham striker provided all the scoring in the match. His penalty in the 62nd minute broke the scoreless tie, and his goal in the 82nd minute clinched it for the home side. Kasey Keller earned the clean sheet for Tottenham, with help from fullback Stephen Carr, who collected 11 tackles, 12 headers and four interceptions in earning the Man of the Match.

Injuries & Suspensions

The most notable injury was to Aston Villa left winger Peter Whittngham. The 18-year-old tore his groin muscle and will miss two months.

Liverpool forward Emile Heskey picked up a harsh knock and a post-match examination discovered a broken rib. The injury is expected to put him out for a week.

Chelsea's Jan Sebastián Verón strained his wrist, but is only expected to be out a handful of days. The rest of the injuries were day to day.

Birmingham defender Matthew Upson was the only player sent off Saturday, when he tripped Manchester City striker Antoine Sibierski while the latter was on a run. He will automatically have to miss Birmingham's next match, at home against Tottenham on Saturday.

Today's Matches

Charlton at Portsmouth
Leeds at Wolverhampton

[Chief Rum]

MONDAY, August 25, 2003

FA Barclaycard Action Recap

Portsmouth 3, Charlton 1 The Pompey haven't looked like a recent First Division club in the early going. They dominated the Addicks Sunday in getting their second win in the Premiership, limiting the visiting squad to five shots, against 16 of their own. Two first half scores, one each by midfielders Amdy Moustapha Faye and Alexei Smerten, tookt he pressure off, and Portsmouth just rolled from there. Striker Svetoslav Todorov continued his strong play with a goal in the 60th minute, showing he can score at any level. Starting keeper Pavel Srnicek had his clean sheet ruined by an 89th minute score by Charlton forward Jonaton Johansson. Todorov got the Man of the Match.

Wolverhampton 0, Leeds 0 The Wolves deserved better than a home draw after outshooting vsiting United 15-5. Paul Robinson showed why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the business when he turned away the Wolves' active offense, including six on-goal shots, to keep his side in it. Striker Alan Smith in particular was indicative of Leeds' offensive problems, as he won just one header in 27 aerial challenges and was also whistled for offsides. Robinson got the Man of the Match, while Matt Murray and Michael Oakes split time during an effortless clean sheet on their own end.

Injuries & Suspensions

Portsmouth midfielder Steve Stone strained his groin and will miss two weeks of action. There were no other injuries beyond light knocks.

No one was sent off Sunday.

Tonight's Match

Fulham at Middlesbrough

[Chief Rum]

MONDAY, August 25, 2003

Fulham at Middlesbrough

When: 7:45 p.m.
Where: Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
Forecast: 9º C (rainy)
Middlesbrough Out: DC Ugo Ehiogu, ML Allan Johnston, ML Lionel Morgan, ML Stuart Downing
Fulham Out: None

Outlook: The Cottagers have not looked good in losing both of their first two matches by two-goal deficits. They only scored one goal total in the losses, a 2-0 road loss to Portsmouth and a 3-1 home loss to Blackburn. The Boro have been more solid, with a strong win over Tottenham at home and a competitive loss against Birmingham on the road. They are somewhat in disarray, though, because of internal strife between manager Matthew Kieta and striker Massimo Maccarone. The match is expected to be a soggy one.

[Chief Rum]

TUESDAY, August 26, 2003

Job, Juninho Lead Boro To Victory

The Two Forwards Handle Scoring On A Damp Night At Riverside

MIDDLESBROUGH-- The Boro got back on the winning track Monday, thanks to the contribtions of Joseph-Désiré Job and Juninho.

The two veterans started on the Boro's frontline Monday night and led the way to a 3-1 victory on a drizzly cold night in front of 23,630 at Riverside Stadium.

"They got the job done," interim Boro manager Matthew Kieta said after the match. "That's what we need up there. Guys who can make a difference."

Inconsistency up front has been a primary theme for Middlesbrough in this early season.

The Cottagers and Boro were locked in a tight match for much of the running time. Job got the scoring started in the 12th minute, but midfielder Sylvain Legwinski would get the quick equaliser in the 18thminute.

Job's early score was set up by a clear out and soem nice passing.

Centreback Chris Riggott won an aerial challenge in the Boro goal box with Fulham fullback Jerome Bonnissel, heading a centered crossing pass back out into the middle of the pitch. Juninho got to it first and proceeded to take a run to the centreline, right down the middle of the pitch. Under pressure from a foursome of enclosing Cottagers, Juninho shot a pass down to winger Boudewijn Zenden by the right touchline. Zenden had barely received it before he sent a superb pass forward to Job, hard-charging into the penalty area from the right and with centreback Martin Djetou closing on him. Job had just a slight step on Djetou and blasted a beautiful low shot between Djetou and the near-post-guarding goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. The ball sailed unhindered into the far left scorner of the net for the first score of the match.

Fullham's tying score was initiated by a long pass from van der Sar. The keeper took a backpass and cleared the ball to the centerline, just to the right the kickoff circle. Midfielder Zatyiah Knight beat out Riggott for the ball and headed it on to striker Louis Saha in the center of the pitch in front of the Boro goal. Under pressure from a trio of Boros, Saha dropped a short pass to forwrad Lee Clark. Clark sent a long pass to the right touchline and winger Mark Pembridge. Pembridge put a nice pass forward to Saha, whom had broken for the right corner after passing off. Saha charged into the right area of the penalty box, drawing the attentions of both Riggott and defender Gareth SOuthgate. This would be a crucial error, as there were no Boro defenders back in the goal box. Saha sent a floating pass from near the goal line into the box, where Knight and Legwinski were both charging toweard the net. Legwinski got the pass under control and then fired a blast for the score past goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, just before the netminder reached him.

That would be all the scoring in a tight first half. The Boro finally broke things open with more consistent play in the second half.

It started with Juninho, whom had yet to score on the young season. The attacking midfielder was starting at striker Monday night, thanks to depth at midfield and Kieta's continuing attempts to tinker with the lineups up front.

Doriva--who started where Juninho usually starts--intercepted an errant pass int he middle of the pitch and sent a backpass to Riggott. The centreback sent a long pass out to winger Malcolm Christie, 15 yards from the left touchline. Christie was under pressure from Bonnissel, but he still had enough room to find Juninho, whom had broken toward him from his own marker, defender Andy Melville. Juninho took Christie's pass along the outer edge of the penalty area and charged in toward the left post. With a step on Melville, Juninho blasted a high shot for the right side of the net. Van der Sar got his hands on it, but it came too strong, as the shot sailed off his hands and intot he net for the go ahead.

Job put in the clincher just a few minutes later, in the 57th minute, when Legwinski was flagged for a penalty on Zenden. Southgate sent a half-pitch length pass into the right corner and wingback Franck Queudreu. Queudreu attracted the attentions of both Legwinski and fullback Alain Goma, leaving Zenden alone on the outer corner of the penalty box. When Queudreu won the header, he moved it on to Zenden, who immediately charged toward the right end of the goalbox. Legwinski, coming inf rom behind Zenden, had to take Zenden legs out to stop him, forcing the call.

Job got the call for the penalty. He hit a low shot toward the left post, just catching it ont he inside and into the net. Van der Sar never really had a chance, as the forward got his second goal of the match.

After that, the Boro turned on the defense and wrapped things up. They limited the Cottagers to just six shots, with four on goal. They, in turn, had 10 shots, nine on goal.

Job did pick up a knock in the 74th minute and had to leave the pitch, but Kieta said it wasn't serious and he would be available when team practices resumed Wednesday. Job got the Man of the Match for his efforts Monday night.

The Boro don't play again until Saturday's visit to Everton. The Premiership takes off the mid-week match for European competion, as the Champions League and UEFA cups resume.

[Chief Rum]

TUESDAY, August 26, 2003

Kieta After Castillo, Arsenal's Aliadière

The Search For A Star Striker Continues

MIDDLESBROUGH-- Interim Boro manager Matthew Kieta is beginning to make headlines in his search for a striker.

The manager on Monday confirmed the weekend rumors that he was pursuing Jairo Fernando Castillo of Colombian First Division side América de Cali, and also Arsenal's young French striker Jérémie Aliadière.

"Either player would make a huge differennce for us up front," Kieta said just hours before his squad was set to kickoff with Fulham at Riverside Stadium. The Boro won the match, 3-1.

Kieta said he was "shocked" Castillo wasn't on this side of the Atlantic already.

"That guy can flat out play," Kieta said. "He could step on the pitch right now and be one of the top ten strikers in the Premiership, I believe."

Castillo, 25, is a well-regarded versatile forward whom has played his entire career in South America. He has scoered 17 goals in 35 appearances with América de Cali this season, to go along with 3 assists and a 7.46 rating. The Colombian First Division season runs from January to December, as opposed to the August to May fixtures favored by most of the major European leagues.

Castillo has also appeared in 22 matches for Colombia, scoring six goals in international play.

Kieta also confirmed that América de Cali turned down a Middlesbrough offer of £3.3 M for Castillo over the weekend. Kieta described the Colombian side's part in moving Castillo as "very reluctant."

Castillo is expected to draw, at minimum, a transfer fee from £3 M to £4 M.

Kieta said the intiial offer was for an immediate transfer, in the hopes that Castillo might receive an immediate work permit on the basis of his international status.

The Boro have made another offer to the Colombian club, but Kieta was mum on the details. With roughly £3.5 M left in transfer funds available, it is not clear what more the club could offer América de Cali to entice them into a move.

Neither Castillo nor América de Cali officials were available for comment Monday.

Kieta said his interest in Aliadière is purely as a backup solution.

"Let's face it, Castillo is a longshot at this point," Kieta said. "The window closes on Sunday. So if we're going to make a move, we need to make it a fast one."

Kieta called Aliadière an "exciting, young talent" who would get the playing time with the Boro he will struggle to see with the Gunners.

"He just has so much physical talent, and he's a natural with finding the net," Kieta said of the French striker, who is just 20. "He has a lot of growing to do, but is he going to be able to do that trapped behind that phenomenal group of forwards? I don't think so."

Kieta may have a point about playing time, as Aliadière is listed on Arsenal's depth chart behind star countryman Thierry Henry, another veteran star in Dennis Bergkamp, and the versatile Sylvain Wiltord.

Aliadière was also trapped behind Nigerian star Kanu, who is off to a great start with three goals in four matches with the London superpower, but on Monday, Arsenal sold the player to Juventus. The Kanu deal will likely make any Aliadière deal far less liekly to be consummated.

Aliadière has yet to see the pitch for the Gunners this season. He scored one goal in three appearances with Arsenal last season.

Football365.com reported early Monday that Kieta had already made an offer to Arsenal for the young forward that had been rejected.

Kieta was noncommittal on the report, refusing to say how far talks had progressed with Arsenal over the striker's availability.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger confirmed Monday evening that he had spoken with Kieta about Aliadière, although he refused to comment on any offers that might have been made.

"Now that we have moved Kanu out, I think it would be hard for us to also move Jérémie as well," the manager said. "We're deep, but we're not that deep, especially with Thierry [Henry] still nursing his knee injury."

Henry, one of the top strikers in football, has missed Arsenal's first three Premiership matches with a minor knee sprain, but is expected to return to action within a week.

Football365.com reported that the superpower would not consider an offer for Aliadière under £11 M, an assertion Wenger did not dispute Monday. Such a transfer fee is well beyond what Middlesbrough is known to be able to afford.

The exploits of Kieta and his search for a star forward have become fodder for daily headlines in northeast England. Poor performances by young strikers like Massimo Maccarone and Malcolm Christie have led to the manager's desire to bring in new blood. This has also led to bad blood between Maccarone and Kieta, which has spilled over into the lockerroom.

Kieta's job got even trickier Monday night when veteran forwards Joseph-Désiré Job and Juninho led the squad to its victory over Fulham. Many observers believe that the Boro should abandon using the less consistent younger strikers it has in Maccarone, Christie and Michael Ricketts in favor of reliance on known talents like Job, who scored two goals Monday night, and Juninho, a scoring midfielder who might be able to move forward because of the good midfield depth on the squad.

Juventus Signs Kanu

With Thierry Henry close to returning from a knee injury, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger allowed Kanu to leave the club for Italian Serie A power Juventus Monday.

Kanu, 27, has started in Henry's place and scored three goals in four matches for the Gunners so far this year. He also garnered Man of the Match notice twice already and compiled a 7.75 rating.

Juventus paid £6.25 M for the Nigerian forward's rights Monday.

Kanu scored five goals in 16 appearances with Arsenal last season. Kanu has been a part time player with the Gunners since 1999. He scored 32 goals in 113 career appearances with Arsenal.

Kanu's transfer to Juventus is a return to Serie A for him. He was a little-used reserve with Internazionale from 1996 to 1999, which followed first team play with Dutch power Ajax.

Kanu has also appeared in 39 matches for his homeland Nigeria, scoring six goals in international play.

Kanu's departure should mean more playing time for Sylvain Wiltord up front and for reserve striker Jérémie Aliadière, whom has been at the center of transfer rumors recently, including from fellow Premiership side Middlesbrough.

[Chief Rum]

WEDNESDAY, August 27, 2003

América de Cali Rejects Another Boro Offer For Castillo

Castillo Upset At Club's Stubborness

CALI, Colombia-- Colombian First Division side América has rejected another offer from Middlesbrough for striker Jairo Fernando Castillo, according to reports out of Comolbia and Middlesbrough.

And Castillo isn't happy about it.

"This is a brilliant opportunity for me," the striker told Colombian media. "Can't [América de Cali management] see that?"

The striker said he was excited for the chance to play in a top league like the Premiership and flattered by interim Bor manager Matthew Kieta's pursuit of his service.

"He's new to the Premiership, too," Castillo said. "He's making an impression over there. I would like to go over there and help him make that impression even stronger."

The offer, which is the second the Premiership club has made for Castillo in the past week, was reportedly up to £3.4 M and included incentives such as a percentage of future sales and appearance bonuses for América de Cali.

Castillo, 25, has scored 17 goals in 35 matches for the Colombian First Divison side this season, and six goals in 22 career caps for Colombia.

Kieta has also been linked to attempts to bring in former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Arsenal's Jérémie Aliadière. Middlesbrough lost out to Dutch power Ajax for Hasselbaink last week, and Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has said a deal for Aliadière would be unlikely to happen.

Kieta said Tuesday he would continue to pursue the forward.

[Chief Rum]

WEDNESDAY, August 27, 2003

Fulham Win Buoys Spirits, Kieta Says

MIDDLESBROUGH-- Interim manager Matthew Kieta said moods were high in the engine room following the squad's 3-1 demolition of Fulham Monday evening during his weekly press conference Tuesday.

The manager said the win and the club's recent solid play in opening their Premiership fixture have considerably lightened morale for a squad that saw plenty of backbiting and sparring in its first week, courtesy of a psat between Kieta and the club's top striker Massimo Maccarone.

Kieta criticized Maccarone last week for his poor performances in the preseason and in the club's league opener against Tottenham, leading to the Italian striker's announcement that he would "welcome" a move out of Middlesbrough.

"The guys seem to be in good spirits," Kieta said. "Winning has its benefits. As for how Massimo and I are getting along, you guys have made a much bigger deal of that than it really is."

Maccarone agreed that things had thawed a bit, and that the whole affair has been overplayed in the media.

"Mister Kieta and I have never been off of speaking terms," Maccaroen said. "Outside of our comments to the media, we have been civil toward each other and entirely professional. It's just a difference of opinion that isn't really all much of one."

Maccarone also backed away from his desire to leave the club Tuesday, although he said he was "undecided" on that issue.

"I love playing here for the fans of Middlesbrough," the 23-year-old striker said. "I'm still playing with the first team and top eleven. I have friends here, like Juninho and Salvatore [Fresi], and I love the area and am playing for a good club ina top league. I would be losing a lot to leave here."

Maccarone said he wanted the opportunity to prove Kieta wrong as well, something that would be more difficult at a different club.

Kieta has been pursuing help for his front line for some weeks now. After losing out on former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink last week to Dutch superpower Ajax, the manager has been linked to star striker Jairo Fernando Castillo of Colombia's América de Cali and Arsenal's young talent Jérémie Aliadière the past few days.

Kieta said Tuesday his pursuit of a forward has been possibly for this transfer period by his failure to get Castillo or talk Arsenal into moving Aliadière.

"I think América de Cali will continue to rebuff my offers for Castillo, at least at the moment," Kieta said.

The manager was correct about that, as the Colombian First Division side turned down his latest offer for Castillo just hours after the conclusion of Kieta's press conference.

Kieta said he might make another last ditch effort for Castillo if this last one was turned dwon.

Kieta didn't sound hopeful on the Aliadière front.

"I don't think we can afford what Arsenal is looking for," Kieta said. "I will continue to keep tabs on the situation, though."

Kieta said he was looking forward to the return of wingers Lionel Morgan and Stuart Downing from injury. There remains the possiblity that either player might be available for the club's match at Everton Saturday.

"We are still very weak in depth along the wing," Kieta said. "We could really use those guys."

Kieta said Morgan would likely start off with the reserves to get some match practice. Morgan, who was bought from First Division side Wimbledon in August, has been shelved with knee cartilage damage since early July and has yet to appear in a match, preseason or otherwise, this season.

Boro Reserves Fall To Birmingham City

Birmingham took the three-squad series Tuesday, after the Middlesbrough reserves fell to the Blues' reserves 4-2 at The Stadium in Billingham, the Boro reserves' home pitch.

The Blues scored four goals in 14 minutes int he second half to come back from a 1-0 deficiit. Defender John Higgins tied it up in the 47th minute with a penalty, and then striker Luciano Figueroa scored twice in two minutes in the 51st and 53rd minute to put it away. Forward Andrew Barrowman put it away with a score in the 61st minute.

Boro forward Niklas Nordgren scored the first goal in the 43rd minute, but they couldn't make it hold up. Fellow forward Chris Emms got the other goal on a penalty in the 83rd minute, long after the outcome of the match was out of question.

The loss to Birmingham is the second loss by a Boro squad to the Blues in a week, after the first team lost to Birmingham last Wednesday. The Boro Under-19's beat the Blues Friday, netting Middlesbrough its only win against Birmingham int he past week.

[Chief Rum]

THURSDAY, August 28, 2003

Newcastle, Chelsea Win Into Champions League With Ease

The Champions League will have a very heavy British Isles feel this year after Newcastle and Chelsea played their way into the group stage of Europe's top competition.

The two Premiership sides join Scotland's Celtic and Rangers, and England superpowers Arsenal and Manchester United in the 32-club stage after winning their qualifying round legs Wednesday night.

Chelsea defeated Iceland's Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur 3-0 in Reykjavik, Iceland, on Wednesday to complete a 7-2 aggregate win in the two-leg third round of qualifying.

Newcastle edged out FC Copenhagen in Denmark Wednesday with a 1-0 road victory. That win finished a 6-1 overall leg win for the Magpies.

The Rangers didn't have it so easy. They lost to Belgian power Club Brugge 1-0 in Bruges Wednesday and just eeked out a 2-1 aggregate win. Celtic also fell Wednesday night in Istanbul, Turkey, where they lost 3-2 to Turkish power Galatasaray. Overall, they also cut it close with a 5-3 aggregate win in the round.

Ireland side Bohemians fell to another Belgian club in Anderlecht by a 3-1 aggregate score.

Dutch side Ajax overcame their first leg upset at the hands of Swiss side Grasshoppers by defeating them at home 5-1, giving Ajax a 6-3 overall score.

The other new entries to the Champions League group stage are Greek National A Division side AEK Athens (4-1 over CSKA Sofia of Bulgaria); Austrian side Austria Vienna (6-1 over Kaunus of Lithuania); Ukrainian High League Shakhtar (1-0 over fellow Ukrainian side Dinamo Kiev); Russian Premier Division club Lokomotiv Moscow (3-2 over Sweden's Djurgården); the Bundesliga's Dortmund (3-1 over Russia's CSKA Moscow); Serie A power Lazio (5-0 over Sparta Prague of the Czech Republic); Portuguese Superleague squad Benfica (4-4 on away scores over Serbia & Montenegro's Partizan); Norwegian Premier Division squad Rosenborg (3-2 over France's Marseille); and the Primera Liga sides Celta (4-1 over Austria's GAK) and Deportivo (4-0 over Maribor of Slovenia).

The group stage will be announced Saturday, including the four-club groupings and fixtures.

All sixteen losers of the third round will be entered into the drawing for the UEFA Cup First Round.

Inter-Toto Cup Wraps Up

The Bundesliga gained two new additions to the UEFA Cup when Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen both won their legs of the Inter-Toto Cup finals Wednesday night.

The two German clubs join Serie A squad Perugia as the three automatic entries into Europe's second most prestigious competition. The Inter-Toto Cup receives three annual bids to give out to the UEFA Cup, which it determeines with a two-month tourney involving some of the top clubs from lesser leagues throughout Europe, as well as mid-table sides from top leagues like the Bundesliga and Serie A.

Werder Bremen defeated Primera Liga side Villareal by a 2-1 aggregate score. Schalke 04 defeated La Ligue One side Guingamp 3-2. Perugia beat Czech First Division squad Slovan Liberec 4-2 overall.