Alan Browne of Middlesbrough(Image: Getty Images)
It’s amazing how so many players are stepping up their game in order to play their part in Middlesbrough ’s marvellous ongoing promotion push.
Tommy Conway’s goal against QPR took a massive weight off his shoulders as did David Strelec’s strike, while the likes of Luke Ayling, Riley McGree, Alex Gilbert and Morgan Whittaker have been wonderful to watch.
Perhaps the biggest plus of all are the constant top-class performances of all is Alan Browne. The Sunderland loanee knows only one way to play and he does it consistently week in and week out.
Let’s face it, Browne’s remarkable 81st-minute goal saving challenge on QPR’s Paul Smyth prevented an almost unthinkable finale to the end of that match.
The way in which Kim Hellberg likes his side to start on the front foot and keep it going as long as possible suggests that Browne will not always be starting games under the new regime.
When he does start, it does nothing to slow down Boro ’s charge because Browne can comfortably play off the front foot as well. But when he is needed to carry out duties supporting his back line then he can be truly magnificent.
In this respect, it’s true to say that Sunderland have taken a big gamble in allowing Browne to come to the Riverside in a season-long loan. The Blacks Cats have already laid the foundations for staying up in the Premier League this season, but things reasonably may get tougher in the second half of the campaign when Browne might have been a useful man to have around.
Premier League or Championship, it probably won’t make any difference to Browne. He will just get on with his job as normal. He’s the perfect team player. He’s confident on the ball, he’s not afraid to support the attack and he has proved he is a brilliant man to have on board when the team is under pressure.
If Browne can help take a second North-east team into the Premier League for the second year in succession, then he will have done a great job indeed. He’s proving an astute signing by Middlesbrough.
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