MIDDLESBROUGH were held to a goalless draw with Derby County at Pride Park on a frustrating afternoon for Neil Warnock's men.
Digital Sports Writer Matty Jones rates the performances of the Boro players against the Rams.
Boro
8 Lumley – Produced his best game in a Boro shirt denying Derby with some great stops and keeping Boro in the game
6 Djiksteel – Not a bad game considering he was out of position for most of it but marshalled the right-hand side well.
6 Fry – Mucked in and won a lot of aerial challenges at the back.
6 Peltier – A yellow card and substituted before the hour mark on his debut but helped the side to keep a clean sheet.
6 Bola – Provided a threat down the left hand side but let Sibley in with one or two efforts when cutting back in on his right foot.
6 McNair – Was moved into centre-half where he did a good job. Although his set-pieces weren’t up to their usual high standards.
6 Morsy – Looked a bit slow at times but looks like he is working his way back to full fitness after a lengthy injury.
7 Crooks – Was perhaps out of position in the first half but was moved back into the number ten role where he provided a threat.
7 Tavernier – Energetic and determined all game. Laid on Howson for a glorious chance at the back post.
7 Jones – Struggled to get into the game in the first half but was back to his usual skilful and pacey self in the second.
7 Ikpeazu – There’s not many strikers you will find in the Championship that can hold up the ball as well as Uche Ikpeazu does. That was on show today.
Subs:
7 Howson (on for Peltier 58’) – Gave Boro some shape and started some of Boro’s attacks but should have scored with a header at the back post.
Josh Coburn (on for Ikpeazu 79’)
Subs not used: Daniels (GK), Hall, Payero, Howson, Olusanya, Spence, Coburn
Derby: Roos 7, Byrne 6, Forsyth 6, Shinnie 6, Jagielka 7, Jozwiak 6, Bird 7, Baldock 6, Morrison 7, Sibley 7, Davies 6 ©
Subs: Stretton (64’) 5, Watson (71’), Buchannan (83’)
(not used): Allsop (GK), Stearman, Buchanan, Stretton, Watson, Hutchinson, Williams
Man of the match: Joe Lumley – could easily have been Derby’s keeper but Lumley made the better saves out of the two keepers
Bookings: Peltier (30’ foul), Tavernier (43’ foul), Jagielka (65’ foul), Jones (85’ foul), Byrne (90’ foul)
Referee: Andy Davies – Wasn’t much flow to the game and took his time with one or two decisions. Should have sent Jagielka off for a challenge.
Entertainment: **
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here