How the Middlesbrough players were rated after the goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers
Luke Ayling of Middlesbrough looks to shoot(Image: Getty Images)
Middlesbrough wasted another great opportunity to move clear in the race for promotion as the same problems cost them again in a 0-0 draw at Blackburn Rovers.
Dominating for large periods of the game and getting into good areas, Boro were ultimately too wasteful again in the final third, whether it be the final ball or finish, and dropped yet more points in the promotion race.
They do, however, stay second with seven games to go, as rivals Ipswich Town and Millwall drew against one another at the same time at Portman Road. Here’s how the Boro players rated.
Sol Brynn – 6
Such was Boro’s dominance, he didn’t have too many saves to make. Those he did make were routine and would be expected of him.
Luke Ayling – 7
Solid throughout as he did his defensive duties well and got forward well throughout to try and make something happen for his side. Went close with an early chance.
Dael Fry – 7
Dominated his duels to keep Boro on the front foot. Not much more he could have done on the day.
Adilson Malanda – 8
Boro’s best on the day. He was particularly good on the ball and opened up a number of positive attacks for Boro with some great balls through the line.
Callum Brittain – 6
Back at Ewood Park, he was given plenty of freedom to attack but rarely looked like getting into a particularly threatening position to unlock the door for his side.
Aidan Morris – 6
Largely dominant and controlling for Boro, with his aggressive press so effective. But, in the absence of Hackney, he struggled to find any kind of moment to unlock the defence, and missed one of his side’s best chances too.
Riley McGree – 6
So often the man driving Boro forward, as he tried to replicate what Hackney brings to the Boro side. While he did that effectively, and was involved in almost every positive attack Boro mustered, his end-product or decision making often let him down. A good shooter from range too, he passed up one particular opportunity that looked on and frustrated the travelling fans.
Matt Targett – 6
Didn’t enjoy the same kind of space as the last time he played wing-back, because Conway spent much of the game further wide this time. It meant Targett was steady without doing anything particularly spectacular or eye-catching.
Alan Browne – 5
Really struggled in this one. The ball didn’t stick and he struggled to look convincing again in the forward role he’s being asked to play. His lack of instinct meant he wasted one particular opening where he came back into the crowd.
Tommy Conway – 5
No shortage of effort in this new wide role that he tends to play now. He beat his man to get to the byline and cross a couple of times to create two of Boro’s best opportunities. But he also wasted perhaps the biggest opening of the match when a better touch would have put him through on goal. Instead his miscontrol sent him too wide and was a sign of his lack of confidence in front of goal right now.
David Strelec – 5
Worked hard up top but didn’t get much service throughout. He had one huge chance at the end of the first half and was desperately unlucky that his well-hit first-time sweep was so well saved.
Substitutions
Leo Castledine (For Ayling, 68’) – 6 – Didn’t manage to find a moment like last weekend, as the game became open in the final 20 minutes and Boro lost their control.
Alex Bangura (For Targett, 80’) – N/A
Jeremy Sarmiento (For Strelec, 80’) – N/A
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