Stewart Downing was working the Middlesbrough-Millwall game for ITV
Pundit Stewart Downing looks on(Image: Getty Images)
Stewy Downing summed up Middlesbrough frustrations after their defeat to Millwall, as he rued their lack of a ruthless edge.
In a similar story to recent failings, Boro dominated the first half against their promotion rivals and were good value to lead by more than the one goal that they did at the interval, thanks to Dael Fry’s goal.
But dropping off in the second half, Millwall punished them in the second half. While they didn’t test Sol Brynn too much, Josh Coburn came back to haunt them on his return to the Riverside, scoring two goals to seal a 2-1 win for his side.
Downing, who was doing punditry work for the game, told ITV: “One-nil is always a dangerous scoreline and the story here today has probably been the story of the season for Middlesbrough.They’re dominating games but not taking their chances.
“It was a big turnaround from Millwall in the second half and you have to give them credit for that. Alex Neil is putting belief in his players that they can win these games. Not many teams come here and play two up front. They tend to stick ten men behind the ball.
“I don’t want to be negative, but it has been the story. It’s alright creating so many chances, but you have to score them. Look at Millwall, two to three proper chances tops in the game, and they score two.
“I’d rather that Middlesbrough do that. But they just seem to overplay at times. I was joking during the game, asking for someone to just shoot, even if it’s on their weaker foot. They’re trying to score the perfect goal when sometimes you’ve just got to let it go.”
The defeat meant Millwall leapfrogged Boro into second place with just six games remaining. Alarmingly, since going top of the league back in February, Hellberg’s side have now won just two of their last nine games.
It was hoped the international break would prove a bit of a reset after recent wobbles, but instead their rut continued in much the same manner. Now, Hellberg must try and pick his players up again, with a quick turnaround into Monday’s game away at Swansea City.
“It’s an important couple of days for Kim Hellberg now,” Downing said. “He’s got to pick the players up. You see Alex Neil and what he’s got. How vibrant and confident he is in his players.
“Listen, they’ll all be deflated. I’m deflated after watching that today because they did dominate that first half. But they’ve got to get some results now, and to do that they’ve got to find some goals from somewhere.”
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