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.