Monday, 29 October 2012

Fourth consecutive win keeps Boro on the heels of the top two

Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray praised his side’s steely determination after coming from behind to beat Bolton Wanderers on Saturday to record their fourth straight Championship victory.

A passionate crowd of 16,200 at the Riverside feel silent just before the break, as Chung-Young Lee marked his return to the Bolton starting line-up following injury, by netting his first of the season.
Scott McDonald proved to be the Boro match winner scoring twice in the final half hour to extend Mowbray’s side’s unbeaten run to five matches.

The Middlesbrough boss was delighted with the striker’s impact after coming off the bench to replace the injured Marvin Emnes.
Mowbray told the club’s website: “Marvin had to come off with a hamstring problem and Scott came on and did what he does best, getting into the right place at the right time and putting the ball into the back of the net.

“Like any other player, Scott wouldn’t have been too happy sitting on the bench, but when his opportunity came he came on and took it.”
The former West Bromwich Albion manager also commented on the impact of the Riverside crowd and how the supporters were a fundamental part of the second half comeback.

Mowbray added: “The supporters were our 12th man, it was one of the few times I’ve sat on the bench and thought, ‘wow!’. They really lifted the team.
“I would never demand for people to come to football, knowing how expensive it is, but I think there are a lot of people at home who would like to come to our games.

“There was a great atmosphere in the Riverside and together we managed to get the win.”
It was the third time in the five match unbeaten run that Boro had conceded the first goal, but Mowbray feels the victory holds greater significance having trailed at half time.

He continued: “It feels extra sweet when you win a game coming from behind, we lost a bit of discipline after conceding that goal.
“I thought we played really well and it was strange coming in at half time 1-0 down because we had created more chances.”

The victory over the Trotters, who had newly appointed manager Dougie Freedman watching from the stands, leaves Middlesbrough third in the table, ahead of a Capital One Cup clash with neighbours Sunderland.
Mowbray believes the confidence gained from four consecutive league wins will give his side an excellent chance against their Premier League opponents.

He concluded: “Sunderland had a great result away at Stoke, which is never easy, and they’ll fancy themselves, at home against a team from the league beneath them.
“But it’s a local derby and we’ll try to make life difficult for them.”

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