As with many lower-league teams with FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition, Middlesbrough will be going into this encounter with a dangerous blend of little to lose, no pressure to succeed, and a sense that something special could be around the corner.
Given that Boro currently occupy second place in the Championship with the final furlong in sight, fans have been fairly realistic in accepting that the league will very much be the priority for Mourinho protégé Aitor Karanka. Indeed, there have even been some fans hoping for a ‘glorious failure’, and I would be inclined to agree with them. Our epic penalty shoot-out defeat at Anfield in the League Cup early in the season was a strain on legs and eventually a disappointment, but it boosted morale and fostered a feel-good factor around the club which couldn’t have been accomplished with a simple victory over a lesser side. Put up a fight, grab a goal or two for the away fans and leave the extra games to the Ipswichs and Bournemouths of the world if they really want a cup run.
However, this is not how Boro are going to go into the game – Karanka sends his side out to win every game, be that at home to Blackpool or away to the Champions of England. Our greatest asset is undoubtedly our defence, currently the best in the second tier. Despite his age, Greece veteran Dimi Konstantopoulos has been a behemoth between the sticks since forcing former Real Madrid goalkeeper (apparently, anyway. It’s beyond us) Tomas Mejias out of the team at the start of the season, and his shot-stopping is bettered only by the confident presence he brings to the team. We are still getting to know Tomas Kalas, our most recent Chelsea loanee, in the right-back position, but you may remember his role in the Blues’ win at Anfield last season; he looks to have been a canny acquisition from what we’ve seen of him so far. Ben Gibson is the nephew of club owner, saviour and deity Steve Gibson, but his form for club and country at U21 level prove that he merits his place over Nigeria international Kenneth Omeruo, another Chelsea man. Dani Ayala, formerly of Norwich and Liverpool, has been a man transformed this year and was many people’s pick for man of the match at Anfield, while left back George Friend is a sure thing for fans’ favourite. Committed, strong and tireless, he constantly excels at both ends of the pitch.
The midfield pivot of the luxuriantly-bearded City fan Adam Clayton and captain Grant Leadbitter is among the best midfield partnerships in the Championship, and will be crucial if we are to get anything out of this game. Leadbitter stole the headlines earlier in the season for his the quality and quantity of his goals from midfield, but Clayton is the Teeside Xavi, and can do little wrong at the minute. If we can get him on the ball, the whole team ticks. Take him out of the game, and we’ll be significantly weakened.
Albert Adomah and Adam Reach have established themselves as our first-choice wingers this season, and academy graduate Reach has blossomed into a wide man of true quality having spent last season out on loan. He contributed two assists in the 2-1 win at home to Cardiff on Tuesday, and has the physical attributes to go with his crossing and shooting, both of which are excellent. Adomah can be frustrating or can be superb, so much will depend on whether or not he turns up on the day. One point of potential interest is that both wingers are over six feet tall, something of a trend in an imposing Boro side. In the Championship, we can dominate the vast majority of games but, when it is needed, we’ll let the opposition know they’ve been in a game. With Chelsea waiting just around the corner, a combative and motivated Boro team is not ideal opposition.
Karanka has a plethora of options up front, and usually rotates between his favoured 4-2-3-1 and a more attack-minded 4-4-2. Patrick Bamford (yes, from Chelsea) has been a major bright point for our season up front or on either wing, and promises goals wherever he pops up. He isn’t especially quick, strong or skilful, but his movement and eye for goal are superb for such a young talent. Belgium forward Jelle Vossen was eventually brought in on an initial loan spell from Genk after a two-year chase culminating in a #FreeJelleVossen Twitter campaign, but he has struggled for consistency despite showing his obvious class with a hat-trick in a 5-1 win at Millwall. Out-of-form Spaniard Kike completes the attacking options, and though he started well and has seven goals so far this term, he hasn’t found the net since the sixth of December.
While nobody is expecting Boro to come away from the Etihad with a win, a combination of our own good form, City’s exploits around the world in midweek and Pellegrini’s roving eye tilting towards Chelsea, our 5,000-strong travelling army know they could have plenty to sing about. Just a few weeks after sending 7,000 to Blackburn, our allocation at the Etihad sold out within a matter of hours and both manager and players have spoken on the positive impact the supporters have had, especially on the road. As far as an actual score prediction goes, I wouldn’t want to jinx anything… but how does 8-1 sound?
