Source: SKY_Sports
Down by the Riverside
Middlesbrough 1-1 Aston VillaSoccer Saturday analysis[LNB] Matt Le Tissier believes Middlesbrough are doomed after seeing them held to a draw by Aston Villa.[LNB]Garetth Southgate's side now need to win their final game against West Ham and hope the Newcastle and Hull results go their way to avoid the dreaded drop.[LNB]There was some hope around a muted Riverside Stadium when Tuncay's overhead kick put them into an early lead but that was extinguished by John Carew's leveller 11 minutes into the second half.[LNB]And even though Villa squandered further chances to put the final nail in the Boro coffin, Le Tissier believes they are dead and buried as a Premier League side.[LNB]"I'm afraid its not looking good," he told Soccer Saturday.[LNB]"If they had 11 Tuncay's they'd be in the top half of the table; this boy is quality, he works his socks off as well. [LNB]"He showed great technique with the overhead kick and was a great example for the rest of the team - it's just a shame there are not a few more like him in the side. [LNB]"I think that's it for them. I've seen them a couple of times in the last few weeks and I've seen nothing that tells me they have got enough about them to stay up."[LNB]Le Tissier admitted that Boro's cause was not helped by the loss of Stewart Downing to injury in the first half.[LNB]It led to a lack of chances for the remainder of the game but even without that, they rarely threatened the Villa goal, despite the severity of their plight.[LNB]And the former Southampton man - who knows a thing or two about beating the drop - believes that lack of fight will cost them dearly.[LNB]"I was really disappointed with Boro again, though. I did them few weeks ago and it was the same then; when they're drawing they don't seem to have enough about them to go and put on any pressure on the opposition at all," he said.[LNB]"When you're at home, in the last 10 minutes, in the position they're in they've got to throw the kitchen sink. There didn't seem to be energy about them, any drive.[LNB]"Middlesbrough had one chance after the equaliser - a Tuncay header that just cleared the crossbar - but Villa on another day probably could have had three or four. They got themselves in some great positions but the finishing wasn't great."[LNB]
