Middlesbrough 1 Blackburn 1
Nugent 78 Gomez 72
Not even the guy on the Middlesbrough tannoy could get it
right, as Boro recorded their third game without a win after a one all draw
with Blackburn.
Over 26,000 were present at the Riverside anticipating a
first glimpse of their new signing Jordan Rhodes, who started on the bench
against his former club.
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| Nugent's late header salvaged a point for the hosts (Picture from dailymail.co.uk) |
With 14 minutes to go and with Boro trailing by a goal to
nil the £9 million striker’s introduction was imminent, but the man behind the
microphone had clearly missed most of transfer deadline day, and the past few months
for that matter, as he introduced the forward as “Jason Rhodes”. Oh dear, what
a clanger.
It did get a bit better for Boro as David Nugent managed to
cancel out Jordi Gomez’s opener with a header 11 minutes from time.
However the PR announcement summed up, what was a rather
bleak day for the hosts, who failed to test ex-goalkeeper Jason Steele in the
Blackburn goal until the final few minutes.
Rhodes wasn’t the only new arrival who started on the bench
and was joined on the side-lines by Gaston Ramirez, as Aitor Karanka opted to
try and force a reaction from those who had been a bit off the boil in recent
weeks.
The surprise inclusion was that of Kike Sola, who signed on
loan from Athletic Bilbao earlier in the window, however apart from picking up
an early booking, the Spanish forward was largely ineffective and withdrawn at
half time for Cristhian Stuani.
This was another occasion where Boro lacked that creative spark
up front, and when in possession their forward players seemed to lack the movement
and verve to worry a side lingering down in 18th.
After selling Rhodes to Boro, Rovers manager Paul Lambert
talked about building a team with the money which had been accumulated.
The visitors certainly gave a good account of themselves;
however Boro defenders would have been much happier to see the likes of Danny
Graham and Tony Watt leading the visitors’ line rather than a man who has
scored over 20 goals in the last three seasons. Even so he wasn’t much use sat on
Boro’s bench.
There was an anxiety around the Riverside, a sudden unease, which
has only just emerged in recent weeks due to the drop off in form.
The Teessiders are still level on points with leaders Hull
but are now only one point clear of third place Burnley, though Karanka’s side
have two games in hand on the Clarets.
The first of which comes on Tuesday night when they take on
the MK Dons away from home, Boro may have to make the trip without influential
centre back Daniel Ayala who limped off with an injury before half time.
Karanka made just two changes from the side which lost to Nottingham
Forest a fortnight ago. Ritchie De Laet replaced the injured George Friend and
was an energetic figure up and down the right flank. Further forward Stuani
made way for Sola, a change with was reversed at half time.
Rovers were without a league win in seven games coming into
this match, nevertheless they threatened to open the scoring after 14 minutes
when Darragh Lenihan tried his luck from range but fired a low shot straight at
Dimi Konstantopulos.
Minutes later the ball was in the net when Elliott Ward headed
in a free kick only to be ruled offside. That was an indicator for what was to
come, and despite Boro’s possession it was the visitors who should have taken
the lead.
A rare mix up between Ayala and Ben Gibson allowed Watt to
slip into the box where he sliced a shot wide. For those who think they
recognise the name but don’t know where from, this was the striker who scored
the second goal when Celtic famously beat Barcelona four years ago.
Rovers continued to create the better changes. Just before the half hour mark Gibson was
forced to block Gomez’s shot. Boro’s first effort on goal came in the 31st
minute when Grant Leadbitter dragged his effort low and wide.
Ayala picked up his injury when challenging for a header in
the opposition’s box, he tried to run it off but couldn’t continue until half
time so was replaced by Tomas Kalas.
Stuani’s introduction meant Karanka had used two of his
three substitutes at the half way point, though there were signs of improvements
after the break.
Downing made a run to the by-line but delivered his cross
behind Nugent, who was waiting in the box. From the other wing Nsue curled an
inviting cross onto the head of Stuani, but the Uruguayan headed over.
On 72 minutes the hosts failed to clear their lines on a
number of occasions and were punished when the ball finally dropped to Gomez on
the edge of the area, before the Spaniard swept a low shot into the bottom
corner.
Boro responded six minutes later when Nsue’s cross was
nodded in by Nugent at the back post. In a grandstand finish both sides had
chances to win it and the best fell to Rovers midfielder Hope Akpan, however
the Nigerian snatched his effort wide.
Player Ratings
Dimi Konstantopulos
6 – Didn’t have many shots to deal with
Emilio Nsue 7 – Put
some decent crosses into the box, one of which resulted in the goal
Daniel Ayala 6-
Forced off before half time
Ben Gibson 6.5 –
Brought confidence back into the defence after time out
Richie De Laet 7-
Made some decisive runs down the left wing
Adam Clayton 6-
Broke up play out of possession, but didn’t create much going forward
Grant Leadbitter 6- Made
a few decent passes, but nothing which led to a real chance
Albert Adomah 5-
Rarely beat his full back
Stewart Downing 6-
Looked more affective on the left, when he could put crosses into the box
Kike Sola 5- Subbed
at half time after ineffective debut
David Nugent 6.5-
Persisted and got his goal towards the end
Subs
Tomas Kalas 6.5 –
Slotted comfortably into the defence
Cristhian Stuani
5.5- Missed a decent chance with a header
Jordan Rhodes – Only on for the last 14 minutes, unfair to
give a fair rating
My Boro Man Of The Match: Richie De Laet
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