Afonso Could Be The Finishing Touch
THREE members of Boro's legendary 1950s and early 60s forward line agree that Afonso Alves could put the finishing touch to a very promising team for Gareth Southgate.
And Billy Day, Eddie Holliday and Derek McLean believe the Brazilian striker will benefit from the one thing their "nearly" side lacked - a watertight defence.
Together with Alan Peacock and Brian Clough, the trio formed a famous five-man forward line in one of the club's most exciting and yet frustrating sides.
For while they racked up 84, 83, 87, a post-War record 90 and 83 goals in successive seasons, a notoriously leaky backline conceded almost as many at the other end - and Boro remained exiled in the old second division.
Flying winger Day, who still lives in the West Lane area of Middlesbrough as he has since childhood, said: "I think our defence is concrete, I certainly wouldn't like to play against them. I like the way they're very brave and that's the way to run a team.
"David Wheater has a 100 per cent attitude, which is what a defender needs."
As for Alves, Day said: "I haven't seen a bad Brazilian footballer yet, they can all play the game. But I'd like to see us play with two up front. I don't think one man can do it on his own."
Fellow wingman Holliday, now back living in his home village of Royston, South Yorkshire, added: "The team have improved a hell of a lot in recent weeks.
"All they are lacking is a goalscorer so let's hope Alves is the man for the job, because scoring goals is the hardest part of football."
Forward Derek McLean, who got the bus from Brotton for training every day and still lives in the East Cleveland village, is also hoping Alves can be the last piece of the jigsaw for Boro.
"If Boro have someone who can snap up half chances they will climb up the table because that's all they've been missing," he said.
"We can only hope but the defence have been playing well. Young Wheater looks like the old fashioned type, he gets dug in and that's what I like to see."
The three players didn't see each other for almost half a century but after being reunited for a game at the Riverside last season, they were together as guests of Middlesbrough Former Players Association again at the Fulham game.
MFPA chairman Peacock, Holliday and Clough all won England caps as second division players.
Supplied by the speedy Holliday, Day and McLean and ably assisted by Peacock, the unforgettable Clough recorded amazing figures of 38, 40, 43, 39 and 34 over five seasons.
Sadly, all five players had their careers cut short by injury and Clough's departure for Sunderland in July 1961 ended their time together at Ayresome Park.
But Holiday said: "I always look out for Middlesbrough, I just want them to win all the time and then I'll be happy.
"The best years for me were the two years I spent on the groundstaff here, then the two years as a pro between the ages of 17 and 19. I couldn't haven asked for happier days in football."
To find out more about the MFPA visit their own website, Forever Boro, on the left-hand side of this the official Boro website.
*If you know a former Boro player who would like to meet up with ex-team mates, whether they played just once or hundreds of times for the team, they would love to hear from you. Email jim.platt@mac.com.
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Read our report on the trio's previous visit, Return Of The Goalmakers. |
