9:29am Thursday 8th May 2008
By Lee Hall
AFTER a difficult first year in England, striker Tuncay Sanli has been backed by Luke Young to make a bigger impression on the Premier League next season.
Tuncay has shown glimpses of the form that made him one of the most exciting players in Turkish football but, playing as a striker and a right midfielder, the 26-year-old has taken time to find his feet in England.
He has scored eight times this season and Young believes Tuncay offers the Boro forward line another dimension.
"He gives us something different,"
said Young. "Afonso (Alves) and Jeremie (Aliadiere) are quick enough to get behind defences but Tuncay drops a bit deeper and works his way around the defence.
He has great technical ability."
Young, who has enjoyed an excellent first season at the Riverside Stadium, last night likened Tuncay to Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov and believes the Middlesbrough forward will improve his scoring record next season.
"He has eight goals and I'm sure he will get a few more next season," said Young. "He has a natural ability. It's effortless.
He's a bit like Berbatov at times, casual on the ball. He has great technique and it's no wonder the Turkish fans love him."
Tuncay has also made a big impression on Middlesbrough fans, despite what has been a frustrating season for Southgate's side.
While the striker may not have scored many goals for Boro, Young revealed the striker is more than happy with life at the Riverside Stadium.
"He always has a smile on his face. He enjoys playing football and he has been a good character for us," said Young.
"I think he has enjoyed his first season here. He would have liked us to have been higher in the league, as would we all, but he has settled well."
Tuncay scored his second goal in as many games in Saturday's 2-0 win over Portsmouth, which ensured Middlesbrough's Premier League safety.
With Tuncay hitting form and Afonso Alves beginning to acclimatise to the English game, winger Stewart Downing is confident Boro can overcome the goalscoring problems that have hampered their progress this season.
"Tuncay went through a tough period but he's on fire now and I hope he can start setting me up for a change," joked Downing.
"Every club needs competition for striking places but we haven't really had that in the past.
"Next season, with those two together (Tuncay and Alves), with Mido and Jeremie (Aliadiere), that will definitely not be the case."
Despite a season of underachievement, Downing is confident there are good times ahead for his hometown club, as he demonstrated by signing a fiveyear deal in February.
The Pallister Park-born winger, linked with a January move to Tottenham, has revealed how confidence in the Boro camp was low.
But the 23-year-old has paid tribute to the way his team-mates have responded in recent weeks to ensure a tenth consecutive season in the English top-flight.
"It's definitely been a testing season," admitted the England international. "It's not nice when you lose two or three times on the trot - that doesn't breed much confidence.
"I think the lads have done ever so well sticking in there. We've dug deep and got some good results.
"Saturday's was a big game but we should never have put ourselves in that dangerous position.
There have been plenty of games which we should have won, especially at home.
"But we were in that situation for a reason and I'm just glad we're out of it."
Downing has also praised the character of Chris Riggott, who marked his return to the club with Boro's first goal in the win over Portsmouth.
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