Old mate Carrick delivers a harsh lesson to Rooney
Middlesbro 1 Birmingham Rogers 89 0
JUST when it seemed as though Wayne Rooney’s good fortune would hold on his return to management, his old Manchester United team-mate Michael Carrick reminded him just how harsh their job can be.
With one minute of the 90 remaining in Rooney’s first game in charge of Birmingham, Middlesbrough sub Morgan Rogers turned home Matt Crooks’ return pass to seal a fifth straight win.
While Carrick embraced his staff, Rooney’s shoulders sagged as he gazed to the sky.
Both men had also applauded, along with the rest of the stadium, at half-time when the death of Sir Bobby Charlton was announced. Supporters chanted, ‘There’s only one Bobby Charlton’ as his image appeared on the giant screen.
Middlesbrough should have won this game more comfortably but if this game is a guide, Birmingham’s season will certainly not be dull.
‘We have to be more comfortable with the ball and there is a lot of work to do with the players to get them to that stage.’ Rooney said. ‘We have to connect passes. The way I want to play, we need to be able to do that.’
Rooney’s players will have to adapt quickly. Dion Sanderson conceded a corner from what should have been a simple back-pass to John Ruddy, then Gary Gardner hit a bizarre cross-field pass that could have resulted in a Boro goal had the home side been ruthless. That set the pattern for the half, with Boro failing to take their chances. Crooks was denied a penalty following a rash challenge from Sanderson, and Josh Coburn headed Dan Barlaser’s free-kick wide. The Blues’ high defensive line continued to look vulnerable, although they did catch Boro offside
Rooney is demanding more of Birmingham’s players
three times before the break. Isaiah Jones had a goal ruled out because he moved too early.
Coburn shot wide when he really should have scored after Hayden Hackney and Sam Greenwood combined cleverly to release him, before Jones also had a penalty appeal turned down when he tumbled under Manny Longelo’s challenge.
In the second half, Boro kept pushing and Ruddy made impressive saves to keep out efforts from
Hackney and Dael Fry. With time ticking down, Blues sub Jordan James nearly turned Crooks’ cross into his own net and when Ruddy palmed it upwards, Rogers could not head in the rebound. But there would be joy for Rogers late on.
‘We did enough to win it,’ Carrick said. ‘We weren’t sure what they were going to do under a new manager. We trusted ourselves and there were a lot of good things, so I am really pleased.’