Aliadiere excites Boro boss
04 Jul 2007 - 09:15:57
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate believes his new strikeforce of Jeremie Aliadiere and Sanli Tuncay will terrify Premier League defences with their pace and power.
Southgate unveiled latest signing Aliadiere at a Tuesday press conference following his arrival from Arsenal and is relishing the prospect of pairing the Frenchman with Turkey international Tuncay.
The 24-year-old has agreed a four-year contract with the Teessiders after ending his eight-year spell with the Gunners.
"We feel Jeremie can add a tremendous amount to our team," said Southgate.
"We were conscious that as a team we've not had enough pace and energy in the side for a long time.
"Mark (Viduka) was a player we would have liked to have kept at the time, but we take on a different style now and a different look about us.
"We want to stretch teams. A lot of the football we played before was in front of teams and we weren't able to get behind teams with the threat of pace and Jeremie certainly bring that.
"It's great for myself as a coach to have that in the team. The team can play further forward if we have those types of players in the side.
"Hopefully that will benefit the likes of Stewart Downing and enable our midfielders to get further up the field."
