Kevin Ball casts his eye over the Middlesbrough ranks ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash at the Riverside Stadium.
Grant Leadbitter
I always look out for familiar faces and Grant is certainly someone we know a lot about. I’ve known him since he was nine years old when he was at school with my son Luke and I coached their school team, and, along with all the coaches at the academy, we always had high hopes for him. He played a big role in our promotion to the Premier League in 2007 and after returning to the north east he’s become a similarly influential player at Boro. He’ll relish the midfield battle with Lee Cattermole and he will fight tooth and nail for his team on Wednesday night, he's a great example to our academy players.
Stewart Downing
Less familiar but known to us nonetheless, Stewart Downing is another former Black Cat who will be desperate to defeat his former employers this week. The midfielder progressed through Boro’s ranks and he knows exactly what this fixture means to the fans, so he’ll be incredibly fired up for the game and he also has the ability to play a key role. Downing’s had a terrific career playing at the very top level while also earning 35 caps for England, but Wednesday’s game is all about bouncing back. He apologised to the Boro fans following defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, and he’ll be urging his team-mates to respond.
Ben Gibson
Ben Gibson is the perfect example of why the loan system can be so effective. The defender spent time with Plymouth Argyle, York City and Tranmere Rovers during the early stages of his career, learning his trade in the Football League and gaining vital experience along the way. That experience soon paid dividends with Gibson now a Boro mainstay, but his performances have also led to wider acclaim and a number of top clubs are reportedly keen to snap him up. Jermain Defoe has been exceptional this season but after a few games without a goal he’ll be desperate to find the net, so the battle between him and Gibson will be decisive.
Alvaro Negredo
Sunderland have relied on Jermain Defoe to find the net but Boro have also looked to one man above all others – that man is Alvaro Negredo. The Spaniard has scored eight Premier League goals this season and he also tops the Boro assist chart with four. He’s also had more shots (63) than any other player within the Boro ranks – Gaston Ramirez is second with 32 – and Negredo has also won more aerial battles than anyone else. If Sunderland can stop the former Manchester City man, they might only need one goal to come away with three points.
Adama Traore
Boro will want to keep the game tight and the pressure on Sunderland during the opening stages at the Riverside, but if it was up to me I’d throw in Adama Traore because he has a wonderful unpredictability about his play. I’ve watched him a few times in recent weeks and he’s brilliant on the ball, and his direct style of play is something that could really hurt the Black Cats – particularly if they’re without first-choice full backs Billy Jones and Bryan Oviedo. Questions have been raised about his end product, but at just 21 there’s plenty of time for him to iron out any issues and develop into a very good player.
Steve Agnew
Aitor Karanka’s departure left a void to fill and I’m really pleased that Steve has been given the chance to take charge. We played together and he’s turned into a great coach, and he's great friend. I wish him all the best moving forward – this game aside, of course – and hope he’s given a further chance to develop into a very good manager.
