Tony Mowbray makes his return to his boyhood club where he retains legendary status.
On his last visit to the Riverside Tony Mowbray managed to achieve a 2-2 draw in the FA Cup in the 2006/07 season. A tie that eventually saw the Baggies lose on penalties at the Hawthorns following Nathan Ellington’s sending off.
West Brom head to the Riverside following a 2-1 home defeat to local rivals Aston Villa. The Villain’s direct style was the undoing of the Baggies and is surely not the way that Gareth Southgate’s Boro side will play.
The Albion will be looking to bounce back quickly and will hope to gain at least a point.
A 451 formation is sure to be favoured by Mowbray but it remains to be seen who will replace the injured Chris Brunt.
Tomorrow is also a homecoming for James Morrison and he will hoping to add to the two goals he has already scored this season to show Southgate what he has been missing.
Vital Quotes:
Talking ahead of tomorrow’s game Mowbray expects his midfield to be the key: “My midfield scored a hell of a lot of goals last year. Four of them got more than 10 and I expect them to do it again this year,“
The Baggies boss added: “Middlesbrough will probably be viewing this as an opportunity for three points against one of the newly-promoted clubs.
“We`ve got to approach the game, feeling as if we can go there and impose our style on the match, feeling as if we can get a decent result.’
Middlesbrough Team News:
Boro will be without the suspended Pogatetz and the injued Rhys Williams and Tuncay.
Player to watch: Mido
If Mido can match the strength and power of Villa’s John Carew then the Baggies new centre halves could be in for a torrid afternoon.
West Brom Team News:
Abdoulaye Meite, Chris Brunt, Neil Clement and Felipe Teixeira are all missing for the Baggies and Tony Mowbray has hinted that talented young centre back Ryan Donk could come into the reckoning for his debut.
Player to watch: James Morrison
Morrison feels that he has a point to prove to Gareth Southgate and he will be trying his hardest to add to his goal tally.
Match Facts & Stats
The Baggies scorers this season
Morrison 2, Bednar 2, Chris Brunt 1, Robert Koren 1.
Ref Watch:
The hapless Stuart Attwell who gave the ghost goal for Reading against Watford last weekend. Let’s hope that he gives a few decisions the Baggies way.
Match Prediction:
1-1 with Morrison to notch his third of the season.
Next Fixtures:
The Baggies next game sees Zoltan Gera return to the Hawthorns wwith his Fulham side. Another 3.00 pm kick off on a Saturday. How unusual.