Aitor Karanka believes that Boro’s defeat at Fulham in midweek can prompt a positive response from his side ahead of their Premier League clash with West Brom this weekend.
Boro suffered a night to forget at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, as they were dumped out of the EPL Cup in extra time, however Karanka is looking ahead his side’s third league game of the season on Sunday afternoon.
“After the game on Wednesday, the team knows we need to win again,” said the Boro boss. "We have to move on because the cup was disappointing for everyone."
“I am confident because since I arrived here after a bad game, most of the time we have had a positive reaction.”
Karanka also is also hoping to build some momentum following Boro’s victory at Sunderland a week ago. Even so, he isn’t taking anything for granted ahead of the trip to the Hawthorns.
“Mistakes in the Premier League cost three points and the players know how important it is to add points, especially at the beginning of the season,” said Karanka in his pre-match press conference.
“I am looking forward to the game. In the league we are in a good position and we have to keep this momentum going.”
Team News
Karanka’s biggest concern is at left back after both Fabio and George Friend suffered injuries on Wednesday.
The Boro boss confirmed that the former won’t travel with the team Hawthorns while Friend is also unlikely to be fit.
In goal Victor Valdes remains side-lined with a muscle injury so Brad Guzan could keep his place. Meanwhile Grant Leadbitter, Marten De Roon and James Husband remain out with long term injuries.
West Brom will access full-back Brendan Galloway ahead of the game after the Everton loanee suffered a hamstring injury in mid-week.
That could pave the way for 16-year-old Kane Wilson to make his Premier League debut, after he came on against Northampton in the cup on Tuesday.
The Opposition
Like Boro, West Brom were knocked out of the cup after extra time in midweek.
The Baggies were beaten on penalties by League One side Northampton and Tony Pulis will also be hopeful of a positive response.
West Brom don’t create too many chances going forward and last season only Aston Villa scored less goals from open play.
Even so they are usually well organised at the back and can pose a threat from set-plays, with the likes of Gareth McAuley, Jonny Evans and Craig Dawson all good in the air.
West Brom won their opening league game with a 1-0 victory away at Crystal Palace. However, they were then beaten at home to Everton last weekend.
One To Watch
Salomón Rondón
The Venezuelan striker is already off the mark this campaign after heading home the winner at Palace on the opening day.
He is a powerful figure, who is good in the air and can hold the ball up well, so Boro will have to be aware of him on Sunday.
Last Time Out
West Brom 2 Middlesbrough 0 – 17/4/2010
The last time these two sides met was six years ago, when both teams were in the Championship following relegation from the top flight.
Simon Cox opened the scoring on the stroke of half time before Czech striker Roman Bednar doubled West Brom’s lead ten minutes after half time.
The Baggies went on to earn automatic promotion that season while Boro missed out on the play-offs.
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