Marvin starvin' for Boro action
by Joseph Caron Dawe, 24 July 2008
Middlesbrough winger Marvin Emnes says he will strive to learn from team-mate Afonso Alves at The Riverside, and believes he can bring an advantage to his new team with his technical ability.
The 20-year-old signed a four-year deal with Boro at the start of July, arriving from Sparta Rotterdam in his homeland of Holland, and despite his youth the forward is showing no sign of nerves as he looks forward to his career in the North East.
“There is a fantastic atmosphere here. The players and staff are a group of friends. I am settling in and enjoying myself,” Emnes told Boro’s official website.
“My best position is playing on the outside, especially on the left, but I can play on the right too.
“I think I have a very good shot and I can pass the ball to create goals. I have technical ability on the ball that I hope I can use to the advantage of the team.
“I hope I can create more space for my team-mates.”
Emnes is also anticipating a link-up with striker Alves, who joined from Dutch outfit Heerenveen in January after also making his name in De Eredivisie.
“Afonso is a big player and I'm sure I can learn a lot from him,” added Emnes. “Playing alongside a striker like Afonso can only help to improve my game.”
Emnes made his debut for the club with a 45-minute showing against Celtic and Boro boss Gareth Southgate was impressed with what he saw.
“I thought he showed some really good touches,” said Southgate. “He's raw but a couple of his runs and touches were very exciting and he showed what he's capable of.
“We've got pace across the forward line now, with players like Stewey (Downing), Afonso (Alves), Jeremie (Aliadiere) and Jonno (Adam Johnson), and if you play that kind of counter-attacking system you need that.”