Easy Peazy for Warnock
NOT a bad afternoon’s work for a supposed thirdchoice striker.
At least that’s what Neil Warnock’s role for Uche Ikpeazu was, had his summer plans come to fruition.
The Middlesbrough boss had hoped to bring in two forwards ahead of the former Wycombe frontman by now. It is just as well he didn’t with Ikpeazu scoring in the first half, before setting up the 70th-minute winner for fellow new-boy Matt Crooks.
Not that Warnock’s shopping is done: “Crikey, I still want another two forwards,” he said. “No disrespect to Uche, but you can’t cope with just one, although it’s fabulous our two new signings got on the scoresheet.
“And although we had a 10-minute sticky period, we thoroughly deserved the win.”
It had looked as if the old Leicester one-two might rescue a point for Bristol City. Robins chief Nigel Pearson went back to his former club to sign Andy King and Matty James.
And the experienced pair came up trumps as King netted with a close-range header on the hour from James’ free-kick. But Boro marked Warnock’s first game in front of the Riverside fans with a win, when, in the 70th minute, Ikpeazu headed on Paddy Mcnair’s set-piece for Crooks to steer the ball past keeper Dan Bentley.
Boro had only themselves to blame for not being out of sight before the Robins’ equaliser.
And it explains why Warnock is still looking for more firepower in his bid to secure a ninth managerial promotion.
With winger Isaiah Jones, who spent last season on loan at Queen of the South, running riot down the flank, they tore into listless City.
Crooks might have broken the deadlock early on, stinging the fingers of Bentley after being set up by Jones.
Two minutes later, his cross was headed just wide by Djed Spence, before Ikpeazu’s low drive fizzed inches past the upright.
But Ikpeazu didn’t have to wait too long to find the net, volleying home at the far post after brilliant approach work by Jones.
He should have doubled his tally in the 54th minute. Jones supplied yet another pinpoint cross but, from eight yards, he headed wide.
Three minutes later, Boro’s defence failed to clear their lines but, from the edge of the box, Kasey Palmer narrowly missed the target, before King struck to give City fleeting hope.
“We were a bit careless,” admitted Pearson. “We had enough possession to get something out of the game, but we gave away two sloppy goals.”
Lumley 6; Dijksteel 6, Fry 6, Hall 7, Bola 7; Mcnair 6, Howson 6, Crooks 7; Spence 7, Jones 8 (Bamba 90), Ikpeazu 7 (Payero 72, 6). Unused Subs: Daniels, Morsy, Peltier, Sivi, Coburn.
BRISTOL CITY: Bentley; 6 Vyner 4 (Kalas 79, 5), Atkinson 6, Baker 5, Dasilva 6; James 6, King 6; Weimann 5, Scott 7 (Jannah 74, 5), Palmer 6 (Wells 57, 6); Martin 5. Unused Subs: O’leary, Simpson, Bakinson, Massenngo.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Isaiah Jones. Ran Vyner ragged throughout the afternoon.
REFEREE: Oliver Langford 7.