AFONSO ALVES has struggled
to make an impression since his
record-breaking move from Holland
but Gareth Southgate feels
his arrival has been a factor in
Middlesbrough's improved form.
The Brazilian, who is unlikely
to figure in the starting lineup
at Stamford Bridge tomorrow,
has failed to score since his
much heralded arrival and looks
some way short of the talent that
persuaded Boro to pay £12.7m to
Heerenveen for his services.
Despite his lack of activity on
the field, his arrival has coincided
with an upturn in league
fortunes for Boro.
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And Southgate is convinced,
provided their Premier League
status is secured, it will be next
season when Alves' true worth
is seen.
"At the time he signed it was
to give the area a lift," said
Southgate. "But he also arrived
at a time when I thought we
might be alright with the strikers
we had in terms of survival,
when others thought we needed
another.
"But sub-consciously his arrival
seems to have taken some
pressure off the strikers we already
had.
"I was not putting all of my
hopes on Alves keeping us in the
league this season. I had a much
longer-term view on that. He
was realistic about that as well."
Having failed to score in his
first seven appearances in English
football, Alves has found
himself behind Jeremie
Aliadiere, Tuncay Sanli and
Mido - suspended tomorrow - in
the pecking order.
But Southgate is adamant the
South American should not lose
heart.
"Afonso is new and everyone
wants to judge him. Really he
needs a run of five or six games
in the side but I can't guarantee
him that at the moment because
Tuncay and Jeremie have done
well for me," said Southgate.
"If he was sat on the bench at
Manchester United everyone
would say well that's what they
do at United.' Here it's a case of
everyone thinking we shouldn't
be doing that. But players need
time to adjust. I never thought
we would see the best of him before
the summer."
Middlesbrough head to
Chelsea with an impressive recent
record - just one defeat at
Liverpool in their last eight
away games.
If they can improve on that at
the Blues they will have seriously
dented the chances of
Avram Grant's side winning the
title.
"We have to play Manchester
United next week, but whatever
effect we have on that end of the
table is a by-product," said
Southgate.
"For us it's about us, not about
the title. We need points and we
want to finish strongly."
* Boro full-back Jonathan
Grounds has agreed a new twoyear
contract at the Riverside
after breaking on to the first
team scene this season.
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