How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's goalless draw with Rotherham?
MIDDLESBROUGH (3-5-1-1):
7 RANDOLPH: Made a superb first-half save to deny Williams and followed up with a fine second-half effort to tip Smith’s shot over the bar
6 Ayala: Was completely unruffled as part of a three-man central defence, but would have wanted to offer more of a threat at the other end
7 Flint: Dominated at the heart of Boro’s back five and won a handful of headers in the Rotherham box without being able to find the target
6 Friend: Was tucked infield to form part of a three-man central defence and looked completely at home in the role
5 McNair: Made his first league start for Boro at wing-back, but wasn’t able to offer much in an attacking sense down the right-hand side
5 Howson: Played the pass of the night as he sent Braithwaite clean through, but needed to play much further up the field
5 Clayton: Slowed up the play with too many sideways passes, even if he was watertight in terms of his defensive work
4 Besic: Couldn’t maintain the standards he displayed on Friday as far too many passes went astray
6 Downing: Was shuffled to wing-back, but while he saw plenty of the ball, he couldn’t deliver a telling cross
5 Braithwaite: Wasted Boro’s best chance of the game when he tried to be too clever after Howson sent him clean through before the break
4 Assombalonga: A real off night for the striker as he struggled to get his shots away and repeatedly took the wrong option
Subs:
Gestede (for Braithwaite, 72)
McQueen (for McNair, 72)
Hugill (for Assombalonga, 82)
(not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Baath, Fry, Saville.
ROTHERHAM (4-5-1):
Rodak 7; Vyner 7, Ajayi 7, Robertson 8, Mattock 7; Williams 6 (Wiles 61, 5), Towell 6, VAULKS 8, Manning 7, Vassell 6 (Forde 82); Smith 6 (Proctor 90).
Subs (not used): Price (gk), Wood, Palmer, Newell.
Man Of The Match: WILL VAULKS – Rotherham’s defensive midfielder mopped up absolutely everything in front of his side’s back four.
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