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Warnock's damning assessment of strikers: 'It shows what we need'
Warnock was again left wishing he had an opposition striker in his side as Boro slumped to defeat against Bristol City
www.gazettelive.co.uk
Warnock's damning assessment of strikers: 'It shows what we need'
Warnock was again left wishing he had an opposition striker in his side as Boro slumped to defeat against Bristol City
www.gazettelive.co.uk
Neil Warnock's damning assessment of Middlesbrough strikers: 'It shows what we need'
Warnock was again left wishing he had an opposition striker in his side as Boro slumped to defeat against Bristol CityBy Dominic Shaw
Middlesbrough "aren't good enough or strong enough" up-front and need to revamp their forward line in the summer, says Neil Warnock.
Warnock looked on with envy as Boro slumped to the Bristol City defeat, the manager again wishing an opposition striker was leading his line.
For the third time in February, Warnock picked out an opposition striker for praise - this time Famara Diedhiou, who scored twice as the Robins ran riot in the first half at the Riverside.
Diedhiou was a target for Boro in January, when Warnock was keen to add a strong and powerful striker to his forward line.
That, regardless of what division Boro are playing in, must be the summer priority, said the boss in a damning assessment of the strikers currently on the club's books.
It's clear at the minute that Ashley Fletcher is first choice after his long lay-off but he hobbled out of the action in the first half against Bristol City and is now expected to miss the Cardiff game on Saturday.
Chuba Akpom or Britt Assombalonga will come in but both, on the whole, have disappointed Warnock this season.
Akpom was signed by Warnock and started brightly but has only scored twice since the first weekend of October.
Middlesbrough's Chuba Akpom looks dejected against Bristol City (Image: PA)
As for Assombalonga, Warnock was willing to offload his captain in January and the former Nottingham Forest man is expected to leave when his contract expires in the summer.
While Warnock has been left frustrated with his own frontline this season, opposition strikers have stepped up against Boro of late.
“Diedhiou, (Ivan) Toney and (Colin) Kazim-Richards all caused us problems," said Warnock after Tuesday night's defeat.
“Give me one of them three please. If we had one of those three we win the game tonight.
“That’s how important it is. I’ve always said that.
“We looked at two or three in January but I don't think Diedhiou was ever close.
“It shows you what we need for next season though, whatever happens.
“We can’t go with what we’ve got. We’re not strong or good enough.”
Diedhiou's contract with Bristol City is due to expire in the summer and as yet he hasn't signed a new deal.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, the Robins stood firm in January and were happy to risk losing him for free in the summer rather than offload their top scorer halfway through the season.
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'Massive mentality issues': Middlesbrough fans highlight side's shortcomings after 'shambolic' Bristol City defeat
Middlesbrough have lost five of their last six home games following a 3-1 defeat by Bristol City at the Riverside.
By Joe NicholsonWednesday, 24th February 2021, 6:00 am
Boro were three goals down before half-time after a brace from Famara Diedhiou and Nahki Wells finish.
Dael Fry pulled one back for the hosts ten minutes from time but it was far too little too late.
Here’s how some supporters reacted on social media:
@tom_mcgarry17: Questions need to be asked this evening as that was simply woeful and five defeats at home in six games proves that it is not a one off
@boroboy1967: Horrific tonight, from the start no urgency against a forward line of pace. Was only a matter of time before we went behind,then two more as we were cut open like schoolboys. How much do you want this ? Not enough obviously!
@JeffersMFC: Amazed we keep playing crosses to strikers when it doesn’t seem to suit any of our three strikers, Diedhiou showed the type of front man Warnock wanted, a guy who holds the ball up, brings others in and scores goals, for me our three all look more suited to play alongside a physical guy
@JayShaw180: Shambolic at home yet again, our mentality against out of form sides is clearly all wrong. Bettinelli a strong candidate for the worst first-choice goalkeeper this club has ever had.
@danasmfc: Bristol City have been abject of late but somehow we were even more so tonight. I’m baffled how we went from Saturday's performance to... that. so disappointing. Massive opportunity squandered again
@Mohommer63: Again, we do have some quality players in the attacking third and midfield, this has to be a training ground approach. Clueless, directionless, dysfunctional and lacking ingenuity all round.
@rob_fletcher_: Warnock has said it before but we lack any leaders who want to dominate and dictate these games. Our players can be so passive during games, just look at some of the subs! When we are the underdog (like Reading) we love playing up and giving it a go. Massive mentality issues.
@Smithy_MFC84: Our season has predominantly been a series of highs, followed by sobering blows. Tonight was one of those blows, which serves as the death knell to any hopes we may have held of a play-off spot. We simply aren’t consistent enough to maintain a push.
