Boro: ‘A big success story'

Last updated : 05 December 2006 By SpursMAD

Ahead of the Premiership match at White Hart Lane, Tottenham's assistant coach, said: "Middlesbrough have enjoyed a big success story in bringing young local players through the ranks to the first team, probably more than any other club at the moment.

"The likes of Andrew Taylor (20), Lee Cattermole (18), Stuart Parnaby (24), James Morrison (20), Stewart Downing (22) and Adam Johnson (19) have all done well in the Premiership.

"They have produced players and been prepared to blood them as well. That was testament to the club and a chairman who has encouraged it.

"They have been a little bit up and down this season. Gareth Southgate has had his teething problems and has made changes to the team - also the shape and system. They have played a 4-5-1, while in a couple of recent games they have gone in with a 3-5-2 formation

"Downing came in against Manchester United in the last game going out from a central position to his more natural wide berth.

"We have heard there is the possibility of Mark Viduka playing, although he hasn't featured for a while.

"Malcolm Christie came back in for the last game after a horrific time with injuries, while Massimo Maccarone proved he was a threat coming off the bench in the UEFA Cup last season.

Source: TottenhamHotspur.com