SLAM DUNC!
Watmore eases pressure on Boro ‘bird man’ Warnock
BY SIMON BIRD
DUNCAN WATMORE lifted the tension at Middlesbrough and gave their wobbly season a healthier look.
Boss Neil Warnock has been under a bit of pressure lately as the situation turned grumbly at the Riverside.
This was only Boro’s second win in nine games that have included four defeats.
But it was solid and convincing, thanks to Paddy McNair (right) adding a second in the first half against fellow promotion hopefuls United
There appears to be friction on Teesside over the summer signings especially from overseas, and over the fitness of some players. After the loss to Reading at the weekend
Warnock picked this line-up at 5am on Sunday morning after a bird flew into his window and woke him up!
It was an inspired moment, with Sol Bamba and Duncan Watmore recalled and both involved in the opening goal.
Bamba found
Marc Bola on the left wing who slotted to Watmore in the box. The former Sunderland and England U21 winger opened up to shoot leftfooted into the top corner from an angle.
United had not lost in the league since August, but were two down after 37 minutes when McNair struck from outside the box. Andraz Sporar’s clever backheel was touched back by Matt Crooks to McNair who scudded home a low shot. United are faltering in their bid to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt but had chances. They hit the post through Iliman Ndiaye and Morgan GibbsWhite also had a shot from 18 yards saved by Joe Lumley.
And Boro were dangerous from a set piece when McNair’s free-kick gave Crooks a free diving header.
The 36-year-old Bamba impressed after rejoining Warnock, and made a fine clearance on the twist from Ben Osborn as the visitors pressed for a way back, with sub David McGoldrick making an impact keeping the ball circulating.
Slavisa Jokanovic’s team had been back in form with three wins in four league games, but they lacked firepower.
With top four tests coming in the form of Bournemouth and Stoke, United’s credentials will get a thorough examination before the international break.