Taking the Mik was great move
PULIS TIPPING JOHN TO GUIDE BORO BACK TO THE BIG TIME
TONY PULIS has backed “exceptional” new recruit John Obi Mikel to lead Boro to promotion.
The former Champions League-winning Chelsea star is bossing the midfield after coming back to England from a two-year stint with Tianjin in China.
Middlesbrough have lost just once in six games, to recover their poise in the promotion race, since his arrival.
Mikel has won a clean sweep of titles in England, but says winning a promotion would “be up there as one of my greatest achievements”.
He said: “I’m still hungry and want to win trophies. I’m never satisfied with what I have achieved. If I was, I would just sit at home.
“I love challenges and knew coming in here would be a challenge for me, and being in the second division would be a challenge for me. We want to get promoted.”
Pulis (right) says Mikel, who has eight domestic winners’ medals, including two Premier League titles, has been “fantastic” and “a great example to the rest of the group”.
He said: “He’s a quiet, unassuming chap and a top, top player and professional.
“He’s been really good on and off the pitch. The level of his performances have been exceptional.
“He’ll give a lot of credit to the other players as well, I know that because I’ve spoken to him about it.
“You don’t win that many trophies and medals without being a good player.”
Boro face Brentford today and Pulis added: “It’s not just on the pitch where we need him, it’s on the training ground as well. When you’ve got young lads, who are training and working with a top international player who’s won everything, it certainly inspires them. “Hopefully, fingers crossed, John will be here and we’ll get the job done and win promotion.”