Tom Jenkins writes about his views on today’s opponent’s Premier League chances and goalscorers
Our opponents today, Middlesbrough, are considered favourites to go up this year after impressing with their defensive solidity last season. In Neil Lennon`s pre-match interview for this game one journalist asked him if he thought the men from Teesside were ‘a Premier League side in waiting`. He rebuffed this question with a look of scorn which I believe was totally justified. They are in our Division, they looked ordinary in their 0-0 draw against Preston and seem to be lacking, much like ourselves, a goal scorer. No team like that is too good for this league.
Our team is in a similar position it seems, but we don`t have hefty expectations on our shoulders. Though Adam Le Fondre and Patrick Bamford had contrasting seasons last year their importance to the two sides respectively was equally great. Alfie helped keep us up and Bamford almost took Boro up. Both sides will feel their absences in the goals department as the weekend showed. Hence why I have described this match as the “toothless battle”; it does have the makings of a bore draw. Our opponents did score 3 in midweek against Oldham Athletic but Stuani and Wildschut aren`t likely to start. Instead I think they will go with Kike, who isn`t a bad player but he`s no Bamford. The point here is simple: neither side has replaced the goals they had last year and will struggle if they don`t.
Both managers now have funding to solve that issue. Middlesbrough have wasted funds on David Nugent (a very poor acquisition for me) while following the sale of Tim Ream, Neil Lennon has some money to invest. The difference is that Lennon has one shot at bringing in that man who can get us the goals necessary to progress. If Nugent doesn`t work out Karanka can replace him at will, such is the luxury of having an owner with money. Nonetheless, how the money is spent on both sides will give an accurate outlook on the two teams will fare this year. A striker is that important in the Championship.
When making a point I often look at history to back me up and, in general, it does when I say a star striker is key to success in this league. Last year Bournemouth had Callum Wilson while Watford had three goal scorers (Deeney, Ighalo, and Vydra). Names like Ings and Austin were influential the year before that just like Glenn Murray before them. However, it isn`t the be all and end all for teams which may be the answer why Boro are still favourites to be promoted. Hull City, had no out and out goal scorers (Robert Koren got 9) and used their defence to get them up. They conceded the fourth fewest number of goals (52) and scored 61, less than relegated Peterborough.
I do believe that a goal scorer is vital to success in the Championship because, in the main, history proves it. Hull was the exception to the rule and we may not see one again for a while. That doesn`t mean it`s impossible though and if Boro are to get promoted their defence will be key to it. Neil Lennon appears to have done a lot of work shoring up the Whites backline and we have to hope if a striker can`t be found, we will bore our way to success.