Source: Northern_Echo
Strachan raises sights
IF MIDDLESBROUGH win at QPR this afternoon, Gordon Strachan will celebrate by spending the whole of the evening in front of teletext.[LNB] Despite a run of five games without a win, success at Loftus Road could see Boro rise to fifth in the table.[LNB] Psychologically, a return to the play-off places would provide a huge boost, and Strachan admits he is not a manager who pretends to ignore the league rankings.[LNB] The Scotsman likes nothing better than looking at the tables, provided his side are moving up.[LNB] It's always nice to look at a table when you're further up it, said Strachan. When I was at Southampton, we went to fourth in the Premier League once, and I remember sitting and watching the teletext for four hours.[LNB] So it does make a difference, and it makes the whole place better when you're moving up the table. But you have to be able to deal with disappointments as a manager and a player. You have to deal with whatever comes along.[LNB] While most of the Championship table remains heavily congested, a gap is starting to emerge between second and third position.[LNB] Newcastle boast an eightpoint advantage over the playoff places, while West Brom are six points clear of thirdplaced Leicester, and Strachan admits the two relegated sides are currently the best the Championship has to offer.[LNB] Boro also tumbled out of the top-flight last season, but having inherited a squad short of senior players, Strachan feels the Teessiders are paying a heavy price for their lack of experience.[LNB] The two teams at the top have the most experienced squads, he said. They've managed to keep their squads pretty much intact.[LNB] They're the two teams who are using their experience the best. We must plug on like everybody else.[LNB] There's a lot of teams looking for form the next ten teams are all looking for a consistent run.[LNB] Strachan is expected to name Gary O'Neil and Rhys Williams in today's starting line-up after the pair missed last weekend's 2-2 draw with Peterborough.[LNB] O'Neil has recovered from a groin strain, while Williams is expected to dislodge Tony McMahon from the right-back slot after a one-match ban.[LNB] Rhys has played mainly at right-back for Australia and Burnley, but I don't really know what his best position is going to be right now, admitted Strachan.[LNB] I'll keep an open minduntil I have a really good look at him. I just know he did very well the last time he played at right-back, but so did Tony.[LNB]
