COBURN’S THE TOAST
Pilgrims’ loss is Boro’s gain as Josh goal keeps Carrick’s men on the up
JOSH COBURN says his desire to prove the doubters wrong got his Middlesbrough career back on track.
Coburn was set to join Plymouth over the summer as Boro boss Michael Carrick searched for new attacking options.
But the striker, 20, was thrown a lifeline after impressing in preseason as Carrick was persuaded to keep Coburn at the club.
His goal on the hour helped preserve Boro’s 59-year unbeaten league run at Home Park, as Carrick’s side made it 19 points from their last eight games.
He said: “It was a bit all over the place at the start of preseason and I didn’t know where I was going to be.
“My main aim was to prove myself at Middlesbrough.
“I wanted to prove people wrong and it worked out all right in the end. The gaffer called me in and told me he has seen enough of me in training, and he wanted me to stay.
“That was a huge confidence boost for me and it made me determined to show the gaffer what I can do.
“It has been a bit frustrating for me lately, as I have been starting games but it hasn’t been happening in front of goal.
“But to get a goal here is great and I want to kick on now.”
Pilgrims manager Steven Schumacher, who courted Coburn over the summer, joked: “I am gutted he scored against us.
“I did tell him not to score against us, but he didn’t listen. His performances have been very good and Middlesbrough have only lost one game when he has been starting.”
Boro have now gone eight games without defeat at Home Park and Carrick praised the visiting supporters who made the 760-mile round journey to deepest Devon.
Carrick said: “We thank the fans for all the efforts they have gone to, as they have travelled to Exeter and then Plymouth in the same week.
“It was nice to spend a few moments with them at the end to show how much we appreciate them.”
Defender Lewis Gibson put through his own net before goals from Bali Mumba and Finn Azaz swung the game in Plymouth’s favour.
Yet Coburn tapped home the rebound after his penalty was saved by keeper Michael Cooper before Sam Greenwood put Boro in front.
Morgan Whittaker’s angled free-kick salvaged a point for Plymouth, who have won just one of their last seven league games.
Midfielder Azaz said: “We have gone toe-to-toe with every side we have played so far. The boys showed great character as a lot of teams would have gone under against a very good Boro side.
“We have adapted well to the Championship and we are positive for the future.”