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Southgate keeping the faith
Middlesbrough, 12:04, October 31, 2008 ,
Middlesbrough are set to be unchanged for the third successive game as Gareth Southgate eyes a second straight win against West Ham.
The Boro boss was delighted with the way his players bounced back from a 5-0 drubbing against Chelsea a fortnight ago by going within seconds of winning at Blackburn last Saturday, before defeating big-spending Manchester City at the Riverside on Wednesday. And he is now hopeful his players can carry on where they left off by securing another three points on home soil against Gianfranco Zola's Hammers on Saturday.
He told the Gazette: "We've taken seven points from the last four games and that's crucial. The players needed to give a performance on Wednesday which gave them belief that we can play well at home, score late goals and keep a clean sheet, so there are lots of positives to take into the weekend.
"But the key will be whether we can create an atmosphere here of understanding that we're coming off a huge high and we're going to be expected to go and win the West Ham game. If the fans can stay with us, it could be a significant result tomorrow."
Mido faces a late fitness test on a groin problem, but Southgate is set to stick with Tuncay Sanli and Afonso Alves in his attack. Mohamed Shawky's thigh injury and Julio Arca's lack of match fitness will again see Didier Digard and Gary O'Neil paired up in central midfield.
Central defender Robert Huth is still sidelined but Justin Hoyte is fit following a hip injury. However the former Arsenal right-back will have to settle for a place on the bench as David Wheater will remain in the full-back role.