Terrific Traore too hot to handle
FOR a player who couldn’t seem to find an end product on English soil, Adama Traore has suddenly started to click on Teesside.
And the terrific Traore, who has been watched for more than a year by bigger clubs interested in his pace and power, is starting to turn in the sort of displays that could help Middlesbrough reclaim a play-off spot come May.
The 22-year-old’s two goals, either side of half-time, secured three points against Reading, whose manager Jaap Stam was left frustrated once again on an afternoon when they struggled to get going.
Stam watched the Royals, who have won just one of their last 11 league games, pull one back through striker Chris Martin with 12 minutes remaining and push at the end for an equaliser.
But Middlesbrough, who saw substitute Britt Assombalonga miss the target with a woeful penalty five minutes from the end, had done enough thanks to Traore’s brilliance.
Tony Pulis, whose side are four points shy of the top six after winning a league game at home for the first time in his charge, said: “If he gets it all together he’ll be a wonderful player.
“He’s fantastic as a lad, he’s only 22 years old, a Spanish lad who moved away from home, and it’s difficult. He needs time. I’ve been very patient with him.
“In the second half he looked a little bit tired but was still working as hard as he could so we’re delighted with him.
“I’m pleased, but obviously disappointed that we’ve not taken our chances that we should.
“When it’s 2-0 the opposition only have to score once and you can end up throwing it away even though you’ve been dominant in the game. It’s only one mistake.
“It was lovely to get them in afterwards and talk about what happened after they scored. There’s certain things we have to do better than we did.”
The first half had very few chances. Only Stewart Downing’s off-target back-post volley caused real concern at either end before Traore fired in the first with a minute remaining. The Spaniard darted inside Leandro Bacuna and his powerful low left-foot drive had too much on it for goalkeeper Vito Mannone.
Less than four minutes after the restart he hit his second. This time he charged straight at the defence and when he beat his marker he powered a right-foot drive inside the far post.
Having waited more than a year for his first goal – which arrived at QPR last month – he has two more to savour and Reading were left with an uphill task.
The Royals did make a game of it when Martin was allowed the freedom on the edge of the area to pick out the bottom corner of Darren Randolph’s net.
Stam, whose side are only four points above the relegation zone, said: “I’m disappointed. It’s not about the players’ commitment. They are very committed to get these points.
“It’s not about the feeling not being there; the atmosphere is still good, positive. We have played this season many games that have looked promising, but we have conceded too easily.
“How hard have I found this season? You learn a lot from being in this situation. We need to make sure the team stays positive and move forward and take opportunities.”