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Imminent arrival of Alves has led to new lease of life for Aliadiere

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Legendary non-league manager Frank Gregan talks about how a new arrival and a return has helped Aliadiere and Senderos find top form

Bill Clinton did not have sex with that woman and "hey read my lips, no new taxes!" Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere has said he does not feel threatened by the arrival of Brazilian striker Afonso Alves at the Riverside. It's a shame Aliadiere is French, he seems to have the veracity of an American President!

His performance on Saturday against Fulham was a match-winning one. It was inspired and a great example of what can happen when the comfort zone is removed and the possibility of a life getting splinters in the backside is hovering. But is it sustainable? Was that performance a case of punching above his weight or is the competition for places going to motivate him to maintain that level of form?

Management is all about sticks and carrots and the biggest stick of all is the removal of first choice status. I've seen it time and time again at clubs that I've been employed at. It starts with the arm around the shoulder, "come on son, it's about time you started to deliver." It then moves on to the "perhaps it's time we gave you a little break, let you get your head together and come back fresh and raring to go." Finally the gaffer ends up shelling out money he doesn't want to in order to "give us the necessary competition that we need to make sure that those who have got the shirt work hard in order to keep it." That is a euphemism for "get your finger out or you're toast kid!"

Cue the resurgence in form of the present incumbent producing two winning goals in the space of three games. Is Southgate rubbing his hands together or pulling his hair out? I would imagine a bit of both really. Aliadiere has earned the manager a much needed six points with his two goals but he must be wondering why the striker couldn't have produced that kind of form before he had to spend £12 million.

That really is a lot of money for a stick! The harsh reality is that the competition is necessary. It is the difference between the big money clubs and the rest. Those with big, serious quality squads of twenty five plus talented players will always do better than those running with a core of thirteen genuine first teamers and a dozen fringe players. I remember attending an Arsenal reserve game when I was at Manchester City when on my way home the Chief Scout rang me to see who looked as if they might improve our squad. 'The entire Arsenal reserve side." I replied. I wasn't joking, the Gunners included the likes of Upson, Bergkamp, Parlour and Edu. They had players on their reserve bench that would have got into our starting eleven.

The Boro squad isn't mighty but I think it is a lot stronger than their near neighbours Sunderland. I don't like betting odds-on unless I believe it to be a really nailed on bet but the addition of Alves shows the difference between the two clubs. I will be posting at [1.76] for Boro to finish above Sunderland in the season long match betting. I think that will prove great value - everyone is citing Sunderland's four consecutive home wins but let's face it, the only team of note they beat amongst the four was Portsmouth.

A classic example of competition in the quality sides can be found in the recent performances of Philippe Senderos. Senderos finds himself in a similar situation to Matthew Upson at Arsenal a few years back, struggling to play enough first team games, yet knowing he would walk into any team outside the big four. The return of Toure will give Wenger one of those lovely headaches but after the big Swiss's performance against Blackburn on Monday surely he must retain his place. I appreciate that Senderos has pledged his long term future to the club but he is twenty three years old on Valentine's Day and reaching the age where he has to be starting more often than not. Reputations count for little at the Emirates and if he wants to stay in the side his remit is simple; keep performing.

I didn't fancy Arsenal for the title at the beginning of the season but had seen enough by the end of September to jump on the bandwagon. I started backing them to win the league and have attained an average price of [3.75]. I honestly believe they can go on and win the title but the value in the price has gone. There will be more twists in this tale than a Chubby Checker dance society and I suggest that Arsenal are laid at [1.8]. The opportunity to back will come around again at a much bigger price and that chance should be taken. Arsenal to win the title should be a green in any portfolio, just make sure that you're betting at the right price, not now, now is the time to lay.