Boro Go Karankas As They Visit Leeds

Article by David Naylor

Leeds take on Middlesbrough this weekend in good shape. Confidence is high at Elland Road- The Whites are just one point off the play offs and face a Middlesbrough side enjoying a positively mediocre season in 16th. Any thoughts of previous form will be dissipate, however, as new Boro boss Aitor Karanka takes control of his side for the first time. Leeds must be wary of the new manager factor as they go in search of a fourth straight home victory.

The Spaniard turned down the hot-seat at Crystal Palace in order to take charge at the Riverside and therefore doesn't appear to be looking for a fast buck. A promotion challenge this term is certainly not a hopeless cause given the unpredictable nature of the Championship and 'Boro fans will hope Karanka can replicate Southampton's Pochettino-effect and add a successful foreign flavour to the Teesider's promotion hopes. The likes of QPR and Leicester should have the strength in depth and subsequent staying power to keep them in the league's upper echelons however Brian McDermott's antics at Reading a few seasons back showed how a bad start can be spun on its head if a team 'clicks' into place. If Karanka employs attractive, ticka-tacka football then both players and fans could receive a boost and consequently kick-start 'Boro's campaign. Pretty football can work- Gus Poyet's Brighton offered evidence of this in his time in charge of the Seagulls although their particular playing style was rehearsed in League One whereas Karanka must be careful not to misjudge the Championship or another disappointing campaign could become a reality for the 'Boro.

It also worth mentioning the all-important Mourinho connection- Karanka was assistant to the Special One at Real Madrid for three years so may have picked up a trick or two from the enigmatic Chelsea boss. Brendan Rodgers and Andre Villas-Boas, both former colleagues of Mourinho, have made successes of their managerial careers and Karanka will hope to follow in their footsteps.

White's manager Brian McDermott will be forced into making at least one change to his line-up on Saturday after centre-half Scott Wootton was ruled out for several weeks with an ankle injury. Marius Zaliukas will likely replace the twenty two year old if McDermott continues to employ the 3-5-2 formation that has fashioned back-to-back victories in recent weeks. Danny Pugh and Michael Brown may keep their places after impressing in United's last outing at Charlton however Leeds's medical boffins will be sweating over the fitness of Ross McCormack after the Striker withdrew from the Scotland squad in midweek with a hamstring injury. McCormack has been in blistering form in recent weeks, with the Striker bagging six goals in the last two games alone. The Scotsman's four-goal haul at Charlton shot the striker to the summit of the Championship's scoring charts and brought back memories of similar four-some efforts from Brian Deane, Alan Smith and Mark Viduka, however Leeds fans will take any kind of victory against Middlesbrough to keep up momentum and maximise the White's chances of occupying a play-off berth come Saturday tea-time.

The appointment of Karanka may make 'Boro's approach on Saturday somewhat unpredictable- The Middlesbrough of their last outing against Watford may be very different to the team who line-up against Leeds although I'm sure McDermott's encyclopedic knowledge of the scouting network will have helped him draw up an action plan for the game. 'Boro have won just two of their last thirteen games, including three consecutive defeats on the road, and could find the going tough at Elland Road. Nevertheless, in Karanka Middlesbrough could have the next success from the Special One School of Managers. Watch this space.......

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