After all of the post-match talk about referee Jarred Gillett, it would be easy to forget just how professional a job Middlesbrough’s young Lions did on Sunderland’s Black Cats as they romped to a 4-0 victory against their north east foes.
If you are a Sunderland fan, you’re probably still calling foul over the intervention of a certain Australian official who took charge of the tempestuous affair. The red card of Dan Neil just before half-time no doubt affected the game, nevertheless Boro still had a job to do against ten men, and do it they did, in style.
We take a look at the three things that we learned as a result of the pivotal match at The Stadium of Light.
1. Boro’s squad depth improving all the time
Early in the season, there were some unsavoury comments regarding some of Boro’s new recruits. Many were deemed ‘not good enough’ by some of the more critical fans among the Boro faithful.
As the team sheet was read out before the lunchtime clash with Sunderland, a quick scan identified that captain Jonny Howson was missing, as was the experienced Darragh Lenihan (also one of Boro’s leaders). With the hugely creative Riley McGree and the in-form Rav van den Berg also sidelined, you could have been forgiven for thinking it could be a long 90 minutes.
However, such is the quality that Boro possess in their ranks, they were able to bring in the likes of the experienced international Paddy McNair and the bright talent of Sam Greenwood, who had an excellent afternoon at his former stomping ground.
Showing their potential
It was always going to be the case that some of the young potential that Boro brought in, would take time to flourish, and that recruitment process is starting to come to fruition now, with players like Morgan Rogers and Lukas Engel looking more and more like the players the fans were expecting to see.
It is easy to say that a bench is strong ‘on paper’, but the proof is how they perform when called upon. The 2-0 victory against Cardiff, forward Latte Lath came on and made a difference, scoring a wonderful solo goal.
This weekend it was the turn of Marcus Forss to get on the score-sheet as a substitute, with Morgan Rogers also notching an assist as the game ran away from the Wearsider’s.
It will be pleasing for Carrick who can introduce some of these players who are developing into a more comfortable environment, into a side that is winning.
2. Michael Carrick DOES get animated
Not too high, not too low. That is the Boro boss’ mantra. You will be hard pressed to find a time when head coach Michael Carrick gets emotional or over-excited one way or another. That is one of the reasons that there was no panic or over-reaction from his side’s poor start, he is always in control.
That said, when the former Manchester United man DOES show some animation, you know it matters to him. The last time Boro fans were treated to some fist pumps and some form of emotion was against Sheffield United last season, as they tried to chase down the Blades in their Championship run-in.
Significant goal
Boro’s first goal against Sunderland was important, it broke their resistance and set the tone for the rest of the match, and it was met with an excitable couple of leaps in the air from Carrick who acknowledged the significance of Sam Greenwood’s opener as he celebrated with Jonathan Woodgate.
Not only was it the fact it was Sunderland, but it felt like a culmination of all of the hard work in finally getting results from the good performances.
3. Sam Greenwood could prove an important player
The attacking midfielder on loan from Leeds United has taken time to ‘get up to speed’ on Teesside after missing much of pre-season through injury. But after starting the last two games, he is beginning to look every inch the player who excited football fans whilst breaking onto the Premier League stage in 2021.
He suits Middlesbrough’s style of play perfectly and can play as a number ten, or-as he did on Saturday against Sunderland-from the left, drifting inside.
The role on the left is an unconventional left-wing role in terms of the way Boro use it. Riley McGree, or in this case Sam Greenwood, start there, but drift inside and find space in central areas, with Boro’s left-back pushing high up the pitch to occupy any space left from the left-winger ‘roaming’.
It works very well and Sunderland found it very difficult to cope with on Saturday. Michael Carrick has already said that he expects Greenwood to have a ‘big impact’ on Teesside.
The international break comes as Carrick’s Boro find some real momentum. He will be hoping that it continues in the same vain when the Championship recommences.