Boro Back On Top With Six Left To Play

Middlesbrough    1        Wigan    0

                                           Bamford  20

 

 

It is becoming more and more likely that Patrick Bamford will one day find himself playing in the riches of the Premier League. Whether that is with his current club Middlesbrough or not, the next few weeks could decide.

Bamford's finish secured all the points for the hosts

The Chelsea loanee was on target yet again to score his 17^th goal of the season in Boro’s 1-0 victory over relegation threatened Wigan; it’s a victory with sends Aitor Karanka’s side back to the top of the pile in what has been the tightest of Championship promotion races with just six games left.

Bamford will take deserved credit as he often does, but this is far from a one man team. Boro weren’t at their best had to dig their heels in to claim all three points, however keeper Dimi Konnstantopulos was rarely tested as the hosts prevailed.

Overall this was a far more compact and disciplined Boro side than the one which was torn apart at Bournemouth before the international break. Jonathan Woodgate, back in the team after missing the trip to the South coast, was invaluable as he read the Wigan attacks like the back of his hand. That boded well for Tomas Kalas who was allowed to return to his natural right back position and looked like a player transformed from the centre half who was tormented a fortnight ago.

Further forward Jelle Vossen’s recall gave Boro options upfront; it was the Belgium’s miss-control which set up Bamford’s goal after twenty minutes. That may not have been deliberate but there is something about Vossen’s graft and relentless work rate which appears to get the best out of the headline grabbing Bamford.

Top of the table for now then, but this is no time for Boro to rest on their laurels, on Monday they must travel to fourth placed Watford, who Boro leapfrogged due to the hornets 2-2 draw at Derby, that game comes prior to back to back home games against Rotherham and Wolves before a trip to promotion rivals Norwich who currently sit just two points behind Karanka’s side.

In all likelihood it will probably be drawn out right to the wire, it would be fitting of a promotion race which has simmered with excitement and uncertainty throughout the season. 

Karanka can take solace from the amount of fans who returned to the Riverside yesterday afternoon, just over 24,000 watched this second tier encounter and there are signs that the Premier League vibe lost six years ago is slowly returning.

In contrast Wigan’s fall from grace couldn’t be more concerning for the fans who watched their side lift the FA Cup trophy in 2013. With six matches left to play they remain locked in the clutches of the relegation zone, six points from safety, and a sudden drop to League One is becoming a real possibility.

Their side did have quality Kim Bo-Kyung, James McClean and goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi were some of the few who were playing in the Premier League a few years ago however Malky Mackay’s experienced side went down with something of a whimper here.

There were only two changes from the Boro side which were outplayed at Bournemouth, however they were significant ones as Woodgate and Vossen replaced Emilo Nsue and Lee Tomlin. New loan signings Fernando Amorbieta and Dwight Tiendalli started on the bench.

It took until the 20^th minute for the first real chance to arise and when it did there were no surprises that it was Bamford who opened the scoring.  Albert Adomah was the main catalyst as he skipped past his fullback before curling a low cross into the box from the right flank. At full stretch Vossen couldn’t bring the ball under control, however his touch knocked the ball back to Bamford who had time to set his sights and curl the ball beyond Al-Habsi from the edge of the box.

Two minutes later Bamford almost doubled his afternoon tally, but Al-Habsi was able to push the striker’s left foot shot wide of the post. Boro’s only other opportunities before half time came through the adventure of George Friend on 31 minutes the full back’s low cross into a crowded penalty area was eventually cleared, minutes before half time Friend set up Adam Clayton from a similar crossing position however the midfielder’s shot was blocked.

Wigan’s only real chance of note came from a free kick situation when Konstantopulos appeared to be fouled when coming off his line to collect the ball, nevertheless the Boro keeper recovered well and made himself big enough to block Leon Clake’s consequent shot.

Boro created chances to seal the result after the break, Vossen diverted Reach’s cross into Adomah’s path, however the Ghanaian winger flashed his effort wide from inside the box.

 With just over 20 minutes to go substitute Tomlin flicked Kalas’ low cross towards goal however Al-Habsi made an impressive save with his outstretched leg , Boro also had their keeper to thank when Wigan forward Marc Antione Fortune demonstrated good control in the area and forced Konstantopulos to tip a fizzing effort wide.       

In their bid for survival Wigan attempted to throw caution to the wind late on, McClean’s pace was their biggest asset but Boro made sure they kept a close eye on him. In the end the final few chances fell Boro’s way as Al-Habsi saved Bamford’s bobbling effort before Tomlin fired wide after going through one on one with the keeper.

1-0 it stayed as the Championship promotion race took yet another turn. Boro back to the top of the league, until Monday at least.

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopulos   7- Didn’t have many saves to make but made impressive save to deny Fortune

Tomas Kalas   7.5- Looked far more comfortable at right back, defended well and provided good outlet

Jonathan Woodgate   8- Read the game exceptionally, averting any danger which came his way

Ben Gibson   6.5- Appeared more assured alongside Woodgate’s experience

George Friend   7- Defended well and added an attacking option, it’s what everyone has come to expect 

Albert Adomah   6.5- Started move for the goal and battled hard on the right

Grant Leadbitter   7- Controlled the game in the first half, forced a little deeper after the break

Adam Clayton   6.5- Came close to getting his first goal for the club but shot was blocked wide

Adam Reach   6- Appears to be lacking confidence to take a defenders on, improved in second half

Jelle Vossen   6.5- Worked very hard for the team, unlucky not to be rewarded more

Patrick Bamford   7.5- Took goal well as he received, looked like scoring whenever he received the ball close to goal  

Subs

 Lee Tomlin   6- Denied by an impressive Al-Habsi save late on

Kike- Only on the pitch for last 2 minutes, not enough time to give a fair rating

My Boro Man Of The Match: Jonathan Woodgate