We’ll take risks to stay up
BORO BOSS GOES ON THE ATTACK
STEVE AGNEW claims Middlesbrough have benefited from a feelgood factor since he took over as head coach.
They have not won a league game since mid-December and lost at home to Manchester United in Agnew’s first match in charge.
But Aitor Karanka’s successor can sense a positive mood change within the camp.
And it’s all down to the new man releasing the shackles with a more adventurous approach than the dour Spaniard.
Creative
Boro cannot afford to lose at relegation rivals Swansea tomorrow but Agnew’s gameplan will be all about winning rather than settling for a point.
“We have to be creative, both as coaches and as players,” he said.
“That means players taking risks at times, not silly risks but calculated risks – to go past an opponent, to cross more balls, to support the front, to have more ® shots. To be successful in football you have to be able to take risks at times in trying to win a match.
“They are encouraged to do that and play with no fear.
“If they make a mistake high up the pitch, then they have another 70m to recover and defend.
“I just want to encourage the players at the front end of the pitch to take risks in an attempt to create more chances and score goals.”
Agnew has drafted in Jonathan Woodgate having earlier recruited Joe Jordan and he insists the atmosphere within the squad belies their current position, one off the foot of the table.
He added: “The mood is good, really good.
“There is a real feelgood factor at the moment.
“The environment around the training ground is very positive and on the pitch, it is intense.
“That tells me everybody is enjoying what they are doing and working extremely hard to ensure we stay in the biggest and best league in the world.”