Boro fail to raise their game against also-rans

9:38am Monday 21st April 2008

Middlesbrough 0 Bolton Wanderers 1

THERE was almost a feeling of inevitability about a Middlesbrough defeat at home to struggling Bolton Wanderers.

Typical Boro. That will surely have been the sentiments of supporters who trudged away from the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

Just months after watching their side inflict Arsenal's first defeat of the season, Boro fans have come to expect results like this.

Middlesbrough are one of only three teams to beat the Gunners this season, and both Manchester United and Chelsea have been given rough rides by Gareth Southgate's men.

But when it comes to the Boltons, Birminghams and Readings of this world, Middlesbrough have struggled.

It's all about expectations according to Southgate.

The Boro boss admits that there is a nothing to lose approach when they play the big guns.

But frustratingly for Southgate, his side has an inability to overcome the Premier League's less fashionable teams.

Saturday's outcome may have been different had Middlesbrough scored from one of five shots they had on the Bolton goal in the opening nine minutes.

A repeat of last season's 5-1 win looked on the cards, but the longer the home side went without scoring, the more belief Bolton had that they could get something out of the game.

And that they did thanks to former Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann's 61st minute winner, as Southgate was left to reflect on a frustrating afternoon.

He said: "The Manchester United game, in a sense, is an easy one because of the low expectation level.

"It's a strange one because if we had started the game as we'd finished it, I'd be questioning whether we'd prepared right or had the right mentality.

"I don't know if it's a softness about the team, but we've got to be tougher mentally, that's for sure. If you miss chances, you've got to say right ok, we get a 0-0 out of the game'.

"You respond in the right way but we didn't. It calls for character when you're playing a team like Bolton who are scrapping for their lives; you need that character throughout the 90 minutes, not just when you're having a good spell and we didn't have the answers when they scored.

"We had a little spell of pressure, but it was throw it into the box and that played into their hands.

"We started it the right way. I wouldn't say I've learned anything, but our response is very important now."

But with Sunderland up next it's not going to be easy as the Wearsiders will be determined to avoid a second derby defeat in the space of six days.

Black Cats boss Roy Keane ran the rule on Saturday's opponents from the Riverside stands and Boro's lacksidasical display will surely give the Irishman hope of bouncing back from yesterday's Tyne-Wear defeat.

"Whatever game was there we would have to respond, but a derby has an added incentive,"

said Southgate. "We've got to go and make sure we perform."

And the former Boro skipper knows that if they are to get anything at the Stadium of Light then they will need to be more ruthless in front of goal.

After Julio Arca fired over on two minutes, Tuncay squandered Middlesbrough's best chance moments later when he fired straight at Ali Al-Habsi.

The Oman international then produced a superb point blank save to tip over Afonso Alves' shot from eight yards.

That was as close as Boro's club record buy came as he was afforded little space by the impressive former Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien.

And as Boro chances began to dry up, Bolton took control in the second 45 minutes.

Ross Turnbull, making only his third Middlesbrough start of the season in place of the injured Mark Schwarzer (back), saved from Ivan Campo, Matt Taylor and Kevin Nolan in the space of two minutes.

Referee Alan Wiley waved away appeals for a penalty on 51 minutes when Stewart Downing's cross hit Kevin Nolan on the hand.

But after Luke Young came to his keeper's rescue when he headed off the line, Turnbull was finally beaten in the 61st minute.

After Taylor struck the post, from the resulting corner Mc- Cann was on hand to stab the ball home from close range after Turnbull saved from Gary Cahill.

Minutes later Middlesbrough felt they should have been awarded a penalty when the ball appeared to strike the hand of O'Brien under pressure from Alves.

And, while the home side had more of the possession, they couldn't make it count as David Wheater, Jeremie Aliadiere and George Boateng all saw efforts comfortably saved by Al-Habsi.

Boro were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal and it could yet prove costly with the Teessiders just five points above the drop zone with three matches remaining.

With games against Sunderland, Portsmouth and Everton to come, Middlesbrough are by no means safe, especially if Saturday's evidence is anything to go by.

"Their keeper has made some very good saves, we hit the target, but that's what cuts the good teams from the also-rans," said Southgate. "We're in the position we're in for a reason.

"Those reasons were apparent for all to see.

"We have to keep learning the lessons of the defeats we've suffered and they were there for us again: take your chances when you're on top, be strong throughout the game. We weren't able to do that.

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