Eric Paylor has praise for three Middlesbrough players in particular after a week of three wins from three
Michael Carrick’s strong faith in his much-revamped squad is beginning to pay dividends. There’s still a long way to go, but three wins on the bounce and a run of four unbeaten tells its own story.
Carrick is still working out his best options following the summer of change, but the manager has got the players believing in themselves again, which is half of the battle. Scoring goals always appeared to be the major problem which might hold the team back. Yet Boro have scored two or more in each of their last three games and are now playing well enough to keep it going.
A few weeks ago we might not have imagined that five-goal Riley McGree would be leading the charge, but the Aussie is showing a most welcome clinical touch in front of goal. McGree has proved a point to both himself and Carrick, who took him in and out of the side in the opening weeks of the campaign.
McGree briefly seemed to have little significance in the manager’s intentions at one point. He is now the main man instead of just forcing himself into the equation. His goal scoring is actually just a bonus because McGree’s overall work is getting all the attention. He is moving back to make crucial interceptions and is positioned perfectly at the other end of the field.
Matt Crooks, a player who is more than capable of scoring a few goals himself, is another who has made a statement. Despite Crooks’ less-than-stellar performance against Southampton, Carrick has stood by him. It’s been successful because Crooks has started to deliver once more.
The committed approach of McGree and Crooks has set an example for the rest of the squad, especially the new boys. Some of the summer signings are still some way off being ready for a regular place in the side. With the senior men leading the way, it should help to pull everyone along.
Certainly no-one will be more delighted than Carrick, who maintained a strong belief in his players even when things appeared to be going disastrously wrong.
The faith placed in Josh Coburn is also being fulfilled following the 20-year-old’s bright performances and his priceless winner at Watford. It’s now well-known during the summer that Coburn might have been on his way to Plymouth Argyle on a season-long loan.
Whether it would have happened had Boro signed more strikers remains to be seen, but I was not the only one in stressing that he deserved his chance with Boro this term. Naturally, Coburn faced a major challenge from new boy Emmanuel Latte Lath and that challenge will not go away.
Latte Lath will be desperate to get back into the starting 11, which should create the kind of hot competition which Carrick is seeking. Latte Lath’s second goal of the season at Bradford must have boosted his confidence while Coburn’s winner at Watford should have the lad from Bedale feeling on cloud nine.
There’s a great opportunity for Coburn to fully break through big style this season. Much will depend on his team-mates putting the ball in the right place at the right time. The major task for everybody is to keep their feet on the accelerator because this season can still be revived.
Two crucial games against improving Cardiff City and Sunderland will give the side a much bigger test than they experienced at Watford. So they need to build on what they have already achieved and battle to take yet another step forward.
Leave a Reply