Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
1500 BEATERS
Warnock: Roberts can bring Boro up to speed
NEIL WARNOCK reckons Patrick Roberts is “coming into a different team” second time around at Middlesbrough.
The Boro boss is bringing ng the Manchester City winger r back to the Riverside for a further loan stint.
Roberts, 23, joined in
January under former boss
Jonathan Woodgate but had d limited impact because of f a hamstring injury.
Warnock, who marked 1,500 games as a league manager with Boro’s first Championship ip win this season, believes Roberts
(above) can thrive with the new-look Teessiders.
After succeeding
Woodgate with eight games left last term and staving off relegation,
Warnock has added to the spine of his side with keeper Marcus Bettinelli, centre-back Grant Hall, midfielder Sam Morsy and striker Chuba Akpom. Now he wants Roberts to inject more creativity.
The veteran gaffer said: “He’s coming into a different team to the one he played in last season. He’ll get the ball more often in areas where
he’s dangerous. It’s up to me to try to get the best out of him.”
Warnock l anded Akpom l ast month from Greek side PAOK for £2.75million and the former Arsenal man scored his second goal i n successive games (celebrating, below) to double Boro’s lead three minutes into the second half after a rare Jonny Howson strike just before the break.
Warnock said: “It’s so nice to see Chuba on the scoresheet.
“He’s He a good lad. For the Champi pionship he’s not as fit as he s should be, but you can see he’s improving.”
Barnsley scored their first league goal this season when Cauley Woodrow converted a late penalty.
B u t d e f e n d e r Mi c h a e l Sollbauer insists uncertainty over the future of boss Gerhard Struber, who has an offer to join New York Red Bulls, is not to blame for th e Tykes’ winl ess Championship start.
T h e Au s t r i a n said: “When the game starts, it’s not an excuse. Gerhard is sti l l par t of it and an important part, and it has no effect on the team.” MIDDLESBROUGH: Bettinelli 7, Dijksteel 6, Fry 6, Mcnair 7, Howson 6, Tavernier 7, Morsy 6, Saville 6, Bola 6, Assombalonga 6, Akpom 8 (Coulson 87)
BARNSLEY: Collins 6, Sollbauer 5, Helik 5, Andersen 5, Williams 6, Mowatt 6, Ritzmaier 5 (Ludewig 51, 5), Styles 7, Thomas 5 (Simoes 67, 5), Woodrow 7, Frieser 5 (Adeboyejo 46, 5)