Source: Daily_Mail
NORTHERN EXPOSURE: I'd love to admit I'm wrong, Ali, but Middlesbrough are doomed - and it's no surp
Alastair Brownlee has been a Boro nut since his dad and grandad first took him to Ayresome Park in 1967. He has enjoyed the good times and endured the bad.[LNB]He is now the privileged position of covering the club for the BBC but has long been the established voice of the club for local radio.[LNB]Voice of Boro: BBC broadcaster Alastair Brownlee[LNB]He loves the club. Just click through to this YouTube clip for his famous commentary of Middlesbrough's goals in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals and semi-finals three years ago. Pure madness and joy from a commentator who wears his heart on his microphone.[LNB]Ali presents an excellent nightly football programme, indulging his passion for all things Middlesbrough, combined with local Football League, non-League, amateur and youth football. He might even discuss matters Newcastle and Sunderland occasionally.[LNB]Thursday night is journos night and I've been fortunate enough to take a seat in the studio alongside such local luminaries as the Gazette's Eric Paylor, the Northern Echo twins Scott Wilson and Paul Fraser, Chris Young from the Hartlepool Mail and the Press Association's Damien Spellman.[LNB]My first appearance was a couple of months in to the season, and all was well. Boro were ninth, Tuncay Sanli was on fire, a return to Europe was the main topic of conversation and all the North East's troubles were elsewhere as Sunderland and Newcastle got used to life under two very different managers: Roy Keane and Kevin Keegan.[LNB] It's not like watching Brazil: Afonso Alves signs on at Boro just over a year ago, but his friend might have been better in front of goal[LNB]Although I was pilloried for praising the talents of Jeremie Aliadiere, I was praised for spotting the flaws in Gareth Southgate's squad. The lack of experience was worrying, particularly in midfield, off-loading George Boateng made sense, spending good money on Didier Digard and Marvin Emnes looked dubious.[LNB]And then there was Afonso Alves. He had two goals in 13 starts, but his misses were in double figures. Per game.[LNB] More from Colin Young... The shadow of Keane still looms large over Sunderland's scrap for survival07/04/09 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Another day, another surprise in the never-ending Toon circus01/04/09 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Sunderland need uncertain Cisse to fire them to safety31/03/09 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Only West Brom's demise can prevent the lights going out for Newcastle, Sunderland and Boro25/03/09 Newcastle 1 Arsenal 3: Wenger backs Newcastle to beat the drop22/03/09 Owen shock as Hughton drops Newcastle striker for key battle20/03/09 Ferdinand back to face City as Sbragia targets Sunderland revival20/03/09 Middlesbrough work on training ground plan to thwart Rory's rockets at Stoke20/03/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE I had recently spent some time with the £12million man, watching him alongside David Wheater as they took part in a Barclays Creating Chance initiative, helping two groups of starry-eyed kids young as three at the MFC in the Community scheme in Eston. [LNB]The pair were captains in a Micro Soccer It's a Knockout challenge, helping out with shooting, shuttle kicking, penalty shoot-out and relays. Wheater's team won by a mile.[LNB]Wheater may have been the North East Football Writers' player of last season, but despite his shyness, Alves had star appeal that day and was the autograph and the photo they all wanted. And that was just the parents. But Brazilians have a good record on Teesside and an affinity with the supporters. Or they did.[LNB]Wheater and Alves took turns on a machine which measuring shot speed. Wheater won that competition too and what struck me was Alves's technique. He did seem to hit the ground a lot before striking the ball, although he wasn't exactly dressed for the occasion. It looked a little odd for a player renowned for his set piece expertise.[LNB]Alves's goals dried up before he even starting scoring them - he still has only four in the league - but he is joint second with the departed Mido and only two behind top scorer Tuncay Sanli.[LNB]The debate after the turn of the year for the second studio visit had turned to Alves's lack of goals and Southgate's perseverance with him. Two goals had just come against the mighty Barrow, so perhaps a corner had been turned. But it hasn't. Not unless that corner is the length of the A19.[LNB]Ponderous: Boro boss Gareth Southgate[LNB]The conclusion we drew that night was that sadly, Alves's days were numbered. Southgate had bravely decided to take the unwanted Marlon King off Wigan and Hull's hands, after scoring five goals, including two penalties and a winner against Boro, in the Tigers' incredible early rise up in league and he looked set for a run.[LNB]King was the sole signing in January as Southgate missed out on Ben Watson, but keeping hold of Stewart Downing and Gary O'Neil was arguably more significant than any new faces - and to their credit the pair have given everything to the Boro cause since.[LNB]A relegation battle at that stage still seemed unlikely, although the lack of goals was a worry. Middlesbrough were starting to look unconvincing at home, injuries and inconsistency were gripping players by the throat and they had stopped winning.[LNB]Last month I was back in the BBC Tees studios and it was the toughest night of the lot. I was on record predicting Middlesbrough would finish the season as a Championship club - not a badge a North East football writer would wear with any pride.[LNB]Sunderland press officer Martin Walker had asked for predictions of the last 10 games of the season for an article on the club website. I based my answers on instinct, rather than studying them. My bottom three was West Bromwich Albion, Blackburn Rovers... and Middlesbrough (on goal difference from Sunderland and Newcastle, mind you).[LNB]It was not exactly what Alastair Brownlee wanted to hear. But like the majority of Boro fans, and the listeners, he knew it was a realistic outcome. And since then they have fallen in to the bottom three and almost been cast adrift.[LNB] Turkish delight: Tuncay scores in the defeat of Hull to give Boro hope of beating the drop[LNB]Saturday's win over Hull City has given the manager, players and the town hope. The impressive near sell-out crowd brought a positive reaction from Southgate's team, which included six from the academy.[LNB]It's Fulham next and they are a team who have brought sides crashing to their knees and, unlike Middlesbrough, they are brimming with experience.[LNB]Southgate is no doubt sick of hearing he is one of football's nice guys, and while he no doubt appreciates people who take a fleeting and often patronising interest in Middlesbrough, wanting the club to survive, he would prefer to be judged on his ability as a manager.[LNB]It has been tough for him from day one but he has been brave in his decisions, stuck to his principles, largely maintained the respect of his players and adhered to difficult financial constraints.[LNB]But he knows this is his team and he got them in to this mess. Everything finally came together for the win over Hull, but such success has been rare this season. No wonder, as Southgate has admitted, everyone else has written them off.[LNB]Including me. Until Saturday. The day Middlesbrough gave themselves some hope. If it proves a turning point and Middlesbrough, survive, hopefully Ali will have me back to admit I was wrong.[LNB] Surprise hero Matthew Bates backs basement boys Boro to beat the dropEXCLUSIVE: Martin Samuel meets under pressure boss Gareth SouthgateMIDDLESBROUGH FC
