
Player Ratings – Middlesbrough 1-0 Birmingham City
Late sucker punch as Rooney gets off to unfortunate start as new head coach.
Ratings from Teeside:
John Ruddy (7) – Some important saves in the second half but couldn’t do anything with the late winner.
Dion Sanderson (6) – Had to make some last ditch tackles and interceptions. Played in a high line and did fine.
Cody Drameh (5) – Left a few gaps down the right side at times and it felt like he was too occupied in the attacking third.
Kevin Long (6) – To his credit in this riskier system he coped well. Didn’t look out of place.
Emmanuel Longelo (6) – Was able to roam forward down the left and put in some decent crosses.
Krystian Bielik (6) – Sat in front of the back four and used the ball well. No trouble with what his new coach asked him to do.
Ivan Sunjic (6) – His pressing was extremely useful and covered both boxes really well. Some good interceptions and last ditch tackles at points.
Gary Gardner (6) – His first start in an age and had to cover when Longelo charged forward.
Jay Stansfield (5) – Didn’t prove to be a major threat to the home defence and didn’t have the service to effect proceedings.
Scott Hogan (5) – Some decent movement here and there but no real chances to trouble the home net.
Siriki Dembele (5) – Played centrally and struggled to have an impact. Would’ve wanted to play in his familiar left wing role.
Juninho Bacuna (for Gary Gardner) (5) – Brought on to occupy the midfield but had no impact.
Oliver Burke (for Siriki Dembele) (5) – Was afforded the ball a few times but didn’t use it well enough.
Koji Miyoshi (for Scott Hogan) (5) – Little threat on the time he was on the pitch.