Pablito Pablito Pablito Aimar

credit:kingtona

The Start Of Better Things

The gifted Argentinean has made a central midfield slot his own since moving in from the left last season and yesterday he and Fabio Rochemback came out well on top against the more rugged approach of Nicky Butt and Alan Smith.

But despite scoring one of the goals which saw Boro twice come from behind to take a point against Newcastle, he wasn't completely happy.

"We want to do better next Saturday against Birmingham, it might be a different kind of game, I don't know how good or bad they are playing, but they had a good result at Derby, but we have to continue to improve.

"We were passing the ball well, but conceded a great goal early on and maybe we shouldn't have conceded the second. But we came back straight away on each occasion, the first was from a great ball from Fabio and a great finish. That gave us confidence for the second half."

In between the two Barclays Premier League matches comes Wednesday's Carling Cup 2nd round tie with Northampton at the Riverside.

"We're confident," says Arca, "no matter what the opposition. We played well at Fulham and well yesterday against Newcastle, we showed our spirit and confidence by coming back twice like that, but we treat all teams with respect and of course that will be no different with Northampton."

Should Arca be playing, he will be looking to add to his goal tally after scoring a goal yesterday which was that much sweeter given the opposition.

"I was delighted because the Newcastle fans were shouting at me, I think they well remembered my time with Sunderland!

"I want to score many more this season."