It's time to play guess the team. Will Petit be risked? Will we play our number one keeper? Who is our number one keeper? Who on earth will we play up front? Sorry, but we have no idea, so we can't help with this one.

What is for certain is that a win at the Riverside will go down as one of the big achievements of the season - no matter how discredited the Worthless Cup is.

It would appear the odds are against us despite, and perhaps because, the fact we thrashed them so convincingly. They will be up for it big time, and there won't be many friendly faces in the crowd for our boys. A trip to the North-East on a Tuesday night for a competition we care so little for, is left for the real die-hards. It is unlikely we will risk Petit, so our vital midfield will be totally absent. They will have the combative Ziege back and Juninho is unlikely to be as quiet again.

So are we in for a hiding? I remain confident, because this is the sort of occasion to bring out the warrior in us. And I have a sneaky feeling we might finally discover what Wenger saw in Malz. I have to admit I have seen very little of him, but what I have seen has been all right - and he has certainly got a decent shot on him.

The other reason to be optimistic is the hunger of Suker and Henry. I would play both with Kanu in behind, despite his poor showing on Sunday. The home fans will undoubtedly fear him after last year.

Despite this being a devalued competition the achievement of winning with an under strength side on Middlesbrough's home soil can lift the spirits of both players and fans and make it a very healthy four wins out of four. Worthless or not a win at Boro means a lot to me.