SANTA, MAYBE
Warnock knows what he wants for Christmas.. three new signings in the window
RECORD- BREAKING expert Neil Warnock is at it again.
He could be on for another promotion 10 months hs after saving Middlesbrough gh from relegation if he can sign ign the players he wants next month.
This win over Birmingham ingham was Boro’s biggest away ay win for six years and their biggest win anywhere re for five years and nine months. nths.
They powered into the Championship’s top six despite being a goal down wn and having to top up their subs bench with th two goalkeepers and a youth player. What at
Warnock needs as a late Christmas present is three players in the transfer window.
If he can get them in, then his record eight promotions could grow to nine.
“We’ve only got a small squad and we’ve got two or three longish injuries,” said Warnock.
“At the minute I wouldn’t have thought we can keep in the top six because we are just so short of players. If we didn’t have a lot of injuries I’d fancy us for the top six.”
But Warnock, 72, is well aware that money is thin on the ground at the Riverside.
“Financially, it’s difficult but it doesn’t bother me,” said Warnock of the chance to recruit.
“I’m there to help (ownerchairman) Steve Gibson as much as I can. You cant can’t just expect him to keep putting the money in. There’s no crowds, it’s a major blow, and the money he’s put into the club is unbelievable.
“We are lucky to have him. “The Middlesbrough fans will have a great Christmas now.
“It’s nice to put smiles on their faces because they’ve had it a bit rough over the past few years.”
Max Maxime Colin put Birmin Birmingham ahead but two goals in i four minutes from Britt A Assombalonga and George Saville, plus an own goal ga gaff by Blues keeper Neil Etherid Etheridge (above, left) and a Lewis Wing 25-yarder that he o ought to have been sav saved, won it for Boro.
Warnock admits he is su surprised he has turned it r round so quickly.
“I doubted we would st stay up with two games t to go,” said Warnock. “We know we are nowhere near the best team for individuals but what we have is the team spirit. It’s amazing what you can do with that.”
Aitor Karanka needs some spirit from somewhere to stop Birmingham heading into yet another relegation battle.
Their home form is dreadful, winning only eight of the last 33 games at St Andrew’s.
“Today I could kill the players,” said Karanaka. “I know they can do better, I’ve seen it in good away wins. Now we have to do the same at home.”
BIRMINGHAM: Etheridge 4, Colin 6, Roberts 5, Dean 6, Pedersen 5, San Jose 5 (Kieftenbeld 46, 5), Clayton 5 (Sunjic 46, 5), Sanchez 5 (Leko 60, 5), Toral 5 (Jutkiewicz 60, 5), Bela 6 (Gardner 60, 5), Hogan 5
BORO: Bettinelli 7, Dijksteel 7, McNair 7, Fry 7, Bola 7, Morsy 7, Tavernier 7, Wing 7, Saville 7, Johnson 7 (Spence 75, 5), Assombalonga 8 (Akpom 83)