Clubs are miles apart – in almost every sense
Following a frustrating start, Middlesbrough well and truly flexed their muscles and demonstrated their immense quality to come from behind and beat Swansea City on Saturday.
The Swans defended remarkably well for 54 minutes, limiting Michael Carrick’s in-form side to precious little while taking the lead themselves through what was Joel Piroe’s 14th goal of the campaign with just 15 minutes on the clock.
But a marginal offside call that went against Jay Fulton proved to be a decisive moment as Aaron Ramsey, Cameron Archer and Chuba Akpom all capitalised on some shoddy defending to bulge the net and earn the visitors another priceless three points in their quest for promotion.
Six of Boro’s seven shots on target against Swansea came from the 54th minute onwards, with their only effort on goal in the first half seeing Andy Fisher barely break sweat to gather a tame effort from Riley McGree.
The cream soon rose to the top, mind.
Boro have no fewer than six players currently in their squad on loan from Premier League clubs, two of whom (Ramsey and Archer) netted against the Swans.
Indeed, the Aston Villa pair already have nine-goal contributions between them since moving to the Riverside Stadium in January.
Let’s not forget, Archer was on Russell Martin’s own transfer wish list, although Boro stumped up when it came to paying the attacker’s wages to nab him from Championship rivals Preston North End.
You may remember that Swansea failed to sign a single player in January...
Carrick’s men had around 64 per cent of possession in the first half while not just their desire but their ability to play up the pitch from the back was a joy to behold.
It’s easy to understand why Swansea boss Martin said he had enjoyed studying Middlesbrough prior to the game.
Their squad possesses the pace, power, athleticism and depth that Swansea’s so sorely lacks at present, and while Swansea’s dreadful defending afforded the visitors opportunities, they still needed to be taken, which Boro did with aplomb.
It seems unfathomable that Middlesbrough endured such a woeful start to the season, with Chris Wilder being sacked after winning just two of his opening 11 league games before ultimately being replaced by Carrick in October.
Under the guidance of the former Manchester United and England midfielder, Boro have risen from 21st to third in the league standings having claimed 46 of the 60 points on offer during his tenure.
They trailed second-placed Sheffield United by 12 points when the January window closed but are now just four points adrift of the Blades having added serious quality to their ranks in the opening month of the year.
Swansea, in contrast, have gone completely the other way.
They were only four points off the top six on the opening day of February but now sit in 17th place, 14 points off their next opponents Millwall, who currently occupy the fourth and final play-off spot.
It’s been a collective shambles since the turn of the year in SA1 which has left most fans desperate for the season to come to an end with 10 matches still left to play.
Oh to be in Middlesbrough’s shoes right now. Even their owner is adored.
“Steve Gibson the chairman there, he’s regarded as one of the best to work for when you speak to other managers, they say how much he supports them,” Martin said of the
Middlesbrough chairman in his prematch press conference at Fairwood.
“Whatever financial power you have, Michael has really engrained what he wants there, the style of play is really clear, it really suits the players they’ve got.
“It’s been nice watching them, we’ve enjoyed their style as we did when we watched Burnley.”
It was telling that in the second half of Saturday’s game the 1,200-strong contingent of Middlesbrough supporters in the Swansea. com Stadium chanted “There’s only one Steve Gibson” in support of their owner, who is renowned for making shrewd deals and backing managers as much as possible.
Both on and off the pitch, Middlesbrough have shown Swansea the way.
That’s a football club with real ambition right now.