Goalkeeper is under scrutiny after loss on Wearside Derby show not Steff of dreams for Boro’s Zack
MIDDLESBROUGH’S hopes of doing the double over Sunderland this season and moving up to third in the Championship table ended in disappointment on Sunday as they lost the Wear-Tees derby 2-0.
In somewhat contentious circumstances after Dael Fry’s red card which also led to a Sunderland penalty, Ross Stewart and Amad Diallo goals ultimately sealed the three points for Tony Mowbray’s side.
Here are the main take aways from the game.
Steffen scrutiny but game plan importance should be noted
Goalkeeper Zack Steffen has been under the microscope a lot lately and Sunday was a difficult and unconvincing afternoon for the Manchester City loanee.
By no means alone in being poor on the day, his performance will not help convince the section of Boro supporters calling for a change between the sticks.
Head coach Michael Carrick often talks about taking responsibility for the risks his side will take if it goes wrong.
Still, there needs to be an element of responsibility on the pitch and better game management, the nous to recognise when it is the right time to play such risky balls out from the back and when it is not.
Steffen’s early ball out to Diallo ultimately provided added encouragement to a home side energised by their raucous support.
It was a period Boro had to manage better to kill that atmosphere and while Steffen was not alone his moment of madness played its part in fuelling the fire.
He was breathing a sigh of relief when Diallo put his chance wide and he was so again when he fumbled Patrick Roberts’ shot.
Ross Stewart fired home the rebound but was flagged for offside, meaning Steffen’s error ultimately was not punished.
It looked like he could have helped Fry out by being quicker off his line when Stewart’s heavy touch gave him an opportunity too. It was a bad day for him.
The Manchester City loanee has had his fair share of ups and downs in a Boro shirt and, with the position one the Teessiders have struggled to fill convincingly for some time now, he comes under plenty of scrutiny but Steffen is not a bad goalkeeper and while he had a poor game overall he made a couple of good saves too, including being unfortunate with the penalty.
Failing to heed Carrick warning
Ahead of the game Carrick noted that Sunderland’s forwards carried a threat and it would be a challenge to make sure Boro stopped them.
Having seen him first-hand at Manchester United, the head coach particularly highlighted the threat of Diallo.
Boro never looked comfortable with the home side’s attack.
The only defender to really emerge with much credit was Tommy Smith, who kept Jack Clarke quiet throughout.
Sunderland’s other three forwards Diallo,
Stewart and former
Boro loanee Patrick Roberts, were a threat all game.
In particular, Diallo was a constant thorn in Boro’s side with his pace, energy and direct positivity.
Carrick’s side struggled to contain him despite the coach’s warnings.
Improving when down to ten
men
Ahead of this game Carrick sat down with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and discussed his style of play and his desire to control games.
We have seen that so much since he arrived to take the reins at the Riverside, Boro regularly dictating the tempo of games with their quality in possession.
However, on Wearside they did not play anywhere near the standards they are capable of - at least until they went down to ten men.
Only then did their midfield really get to grips with the game and only then did they start to have a manner of control of the game Carrick likes. It is disappointing it only happened for them at this stage but it was encouraging they passed another big character test of going down to ten men.
They did not quite overcome the setback because Sunderland ultimately bagged a second to kill the game off but they did prove they can play with ten and more than match an opponent.
Other positives to take with Watford in mind
Darragh Lenihan returned unexpectedly from injury. That could be timely as well with Paddy McNair not putting a foot wrong from the bench after Fry’s red card and with the Teesside centre-back expected to miss the Watford match through suspension.
Cameron Archer looked really bright from the bench too, helping Boro carry an added attacking threat despite going down to ten men.
Matt Crooks has not done anything wrong in his makeshift role up top but you have to feel once they feel he is physically ready the more natural centre-forward option of Archer will be a better one.