PLAY-OFFS... BY HOOK OR BY CROOKS
21, 72, Matt shows once again how valuable he is to Boro in their promotion push
MIDDLESBROUGH
25 og
Crooks Baker STOKE CITY
90+4
BY IAN MURTAGH
MATT CROOKS has been cranking up the stats since arriving at Middlesbrough last summer.
A total of 11 goals and 15 yellow cards point to a no-nonsense footballer always in the thick of the action.
Perhaps if those two figures were reversed, Boro would already be in the play-offs and not heading to Preston on Saturday needing a win and for either Sheffield United or Luton to slip up.
It’s no coincidence Boro’s form nosedived in those periods when Crooks was banned or while he was enduring a barren spell in front of goal.
Boss Chris Wilder knows that without a natural predator in their attacking ranks, Boro can struggle for goals and his contribution is vital.
Crooks returned from a three-match ban to score twice against a listless Stoke side, who put in the archetypal performance of a team with nothing left to play for.
With ex-boro loanee Lewis Baker also heading into his own net, it was the perfect afternoon for Wilder’s men until Nick Powell pounced in stoppage time with a consolation which could yet prove costly in Boro’s bid to secure a top-six finish.
Wilder believes that with Crooks available and back in goalscoring form, they are in good shape to keep their side of the bargain next weekend.
“Matt is a big player for us,” said Wilder.
“I keep saying that our midfield three have been the best part of our team and the highlight of our performances this season.
“He’s our top scorer and is always likely to pop up and get one.
“It’s so important we have threats from different areas and against Stoke, I thought we had threats all over the pitch.”
Wilder knows isn’t in their own
Boro’s fate hands.
But if they miss out, there’ll be no tears, tantrums or kneejerk reactions from him.
“If those teams get the results, I’ll be first on the phone to their guys after the game,” he added. “Our season is still alive going into the last game.
“We didn’t want to go out with a whimper and we certainly didn’t do that.”
Stoke are definitely going out in that fashion and coach Dean Holden is relieved this defeat wasn’t their final match.
“It’s been a disappointing season overall but we have to make sure we finish on a high in terms of a positive performance next week,” said Michael O’neill’s No.2.
“After that, I’m just glad we have another game.”