Downing backing local boy Jordan to be Boro key to promotion
a bit of stick, yet I only made seven appearances, most from the bench.
“They give be a bit and I gave them some back. I’ve scored here a couple of times before and each time has been special.”
Robins boss Lee Johnson said: “I can only apologise for that performance. I feel let down by my players.”
Maenpaa 6, Kalas 5, Baker 5 (Eliasson 54, 6), Webster 5, Hunt 5, Brownhill 6, Pack 5, Walsh 4 (Paterson 54, 5), Dasilva 6, Weimann 5, Diedhiou 4 (Taylor 64, 6).
Rudd 7, Clarke 7, Huntington 7, Davies 7, Earl 7, Barkhuizen 7, Gallagher 6 (Browne 74 6), Johnson 8, Pearson 6, Maguire 7 (Nmecha 84), MOTM Robinson 9.
MATCH STATS
Hugill
STEWART DOWNING reckons Jordan Hugill could produce the firepower to propel Boro to promotion.
So sound defensively, Boro have too often found goals a struggle this season, but Hugill could be the answer to their prayers.
The local boy and Boro fan was signed by Tony Pulis (right) on a season’s loan from West Ham after spending most of his time on the bench in the wake of a £10million January move from Preston.
But Hugill hit his first two league goals for Boro – the opener a penalty – before half-time in the win over Wigan.
And Boro veteran Downing believes Hugill’s shooting boots may make the difference come the business end of the season. The former West Ham winger said: “It was great for Jordan to get the goals. He’s a Boro lad and was desperate to score.
“I remember him playing here last season for Preston, when we were under Garry Monk, and I thought he was very good. He held the ball up, he was their focal point, and he made it very difficult for us.
“When he came here I thought ‘If we can get him up to speed and in that form, we’ve got a player.’ Maybe his confidence took a bit of a dent at West Ham because he wasn’t really in their plans.
“But since he has been here the manager has put his arm around him and told him how good he can be. If he has a run of games he might get 10 or 15 goals.
“If we score goals and carry on keeping clean sheets, we’ll get promoted.”
Downing fancied taking the REF:
spot-kick himself after skipper George Friend went down under Cedric Kipre’s challenge. He said: “I thought ‘I’ll just get it and whack it in the net,’ but Jordan stepped up and I thought ‘He needs a goal.’”
Wigan’s ex-Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson returned to the north-east after parting company with Sunderland in March when he was charged with drink-driving. Latics boss Paul Cook said: “Darron was excellent again. He conducts himself around the club brilliantly. He’s a very experienced, quality player.”
MIDDLESBROUGH: WIGAN: MOTM ATT: JORDAN HUGILL (MIDDLESBROUGH)