IN an article first published in Boro's award-winning matchday programme redsquare, Juninho reveals how he's convinced Teesside fans will love Afonso Alves.

Boro legend Juninho is convinced that fellow Brazilian Afonso Alves will prove to be a smash-hit at the Riverside, writes Rob Stewart.

"I have no doubts at all that Alves will be a star at Middlesbrough because he possesses all the qualities you need to be a top, top player in the English Premier League," Juninho told REDSQUARE.

"I say that because Alves is fast, he's tough, he's strong in the air, very hard-working and has a goal-scorer's instincts plus he loves to score goals and that is bound to be good for Middlesbrough.

"I am sure that the fans will love him but he's also lucky because even when things aren't going so well, as long as they can see that he is working hard for the shirt they will also back him and then things will come good."

Juninho was speaking from his home in Sao Paulo, where he is now living with his family following a seven-month spell with Sydney FC which has now come to an end.

"Alves left Brazil before he really made a big impact here to go to play in Europe and many people thought that he had left too early," added Boro's original Samba star.

"Hardly anyone knew his name when he was in Brazil but his career seems to have really taken off in recent years.

"He scored lots of goals in Sweden and then Holland and he then won himself a place alongside people like Kaka in the national team, which is a brilliant achievement.

"Now everyone seems to have heard of him and scoring those two goals in that 2-2 draw against Manchester United would have been on TV all over the world.

"I was really pleased for him that he got off the mark and for Boro fans because I know how much they will be wanting him to do well.

"I still regard myself as a Boro fan and after every game I get on the Internet to find their results. It the first result I look for.

"The club will also have a special place in my heart. I'd love to come over to watch the team in action again but I suppose that I will have to wait for an invitation from Steve Gibson or Keith Lamb first!"

Julio Arca is also backing Alves to be a major hit at the Riverside. "I always said it would take him four to six months to settle in, yet he is starting to get into good shape after only three.

"By this time next year he should be at his best but you can see already that he has got his confidence. When he came here in February everyone expected him to start scoring goals straightaway.

"Everyone could feel the pressure on him because of the money the club paid. Then people stopped putting pressure on him and that's why he is playing so good.

"People are starting to realise what a good player he could be for Middlesbrough."

TOP 10 BORO AUTHORS

AS the autobiography of Dean Windass - titled Deano: From Gipsyville to the Premiership - outsells Ronaldo's life story, we bring 10 other Boro authors to book...

10 Alan MILLER

History may not recall him as one of the major names of the Riverside Revolution, but goalkeeper Miller was one of the first Boro players to put his name to a book. Written with the help of then Boro press officer Mark Hooper, A Miller's Tale told the day-to-day story of his topsy-turvy 1995-96 campaign.

9 Bryan ROBSON

Although a worthy read, Robbo's recent autobiography - cleverly titled Robbo: The Autobiography - did not reveal too much that Boro fans did not already know about his time in charge of the club.

8 Craig JOHNSTON

Few footballers could rightly claim to have packed as much into their life as Johnston, who won major honours after leaving Boro for Liverpool. His invention of the Predator book and more dubious distinction of writing the hit song, The Anfield Rap, ensure the Aussie's life stands out from the norm. He dedicated his autobiography, Walk Alone, to the victims of the Hillsborough and Heysel disasters.

7 John HENDRIE

Don't Call Me Happy was the title of Hendrie's autobiography that sold extremely well to fans of his former clubs, Bradford City, Leeds, Barnsley and, of course, Boro. Written with the help of former Boro press officer Adrian Bevington, now communications chief at the FA.

6 Paul GASCOIGNE

One of the game's great enigmas, who enjoyed a brief stay with Boro towards the back end of his career, Gascoigne told two recent accounts of his life and career in Gazza: My Story and then Being Gazza: My Journey to Hell and Back. But he first put pen to paper - or, more likely, chatted to his then agent and writer Mel Stein for a couple of hours - for 1994's Ha'way the Lad.

5 Bernie SLAVEN

He may be best known for his work as a radio pundit since hanging up his boots, but Slaven achieved great local success with his autobiography Legend?, an updated version of Strikingly Different, a book brought out as part of his benefit year in 1996. Both books were written with Boro's communications head Dave Allan. Along with Eric Gates and Malcolm Macdonald, he also enjoyed excellent sales of another book, The Three Legends.

4 Gareth SOUTHGATE

Any Riverside regular looking to gain an insight into the mind of the Boro manager need look no further than Woody and Nord, A Football Friendship, a unique book that tells the contrasting career stories of Southgate and his mate, Andy Woodman. Written with journalist David Walsh.

3 Brian CLOUGH

Clough wrote two autobiographies, in answer to an earlier hard-hitting account of his career by Tony Francis. Cloughie: Walking on Water and Clough: The Autobiography both gave revealing insights into one of Boro's and football's true greats. Even after his death, Clough continues to inspire the written word. The Damned Utd, a half-fiction/half-fact tale of his 44 days in charge of Leeds, and Provided You Don't Kiss Me have both won the plaudits and sold in high numbers over the past 12 months.

2 Willie MADDREN

But for the terrible illness that eventually claimed the Boro legend's life, Maddren would probably never have committed his life story to paper. But the onset of Motor Neurone Disease inspired Maddren to spend much of his dying days producing Extra Time, his inspirational and tear jerking autobiography that raised £40,000 for research into the illness. Written with Dave Allan.

1 Mark SCHWARZER

Having teamed up with friend Neill Montagnana-Wallace for Megs and the Vootball Kids, Schwarzer is undoubtedly the first Boro player to write a book of fiction. Now selling well in the UK after much success in Australia, the book's follow-up is due for launch over the summer. But Megs isn't Schwarzer's first book. His first, Mark My Words, was a diary of Boro's 1997-98 promotion campaign, while he also brought out World Cup Destiny following Australia's appearance at the finals two years ago.

REDSQUARE is available in and around the Riverside Stadiums every home matchday priced £3.