Source: Northern_Echo
Boro boss seeking a striker
Middlesbrough 0 Sheffield United 0[LNB] HAVING failed to turn a decent opening night display in the Coca-Cola Championship into victory, Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate last night reaffirmed a determination to strengthen his attacking options.[LNB] Southgate remains hopeful that Brazilian striker Afonso Alves will be sold within the next week, although it is understood that Qatars Al-Ahli Sports Club now have competition for his signature.[LNB] With no agreement reached over a fee for the £12.7m buy, Southgate is trying to remain hopeful that Alves will be sold soon so that he can add to his squad.[LNB] Last nights goalless draw with Sheffield United further highlighted where Southgates squad is short, with a centre-forward capable of leading the line in urgent need at the Riverside Stadium.[LNB] Derbys Rob Hulse, £3mrated, certainly fits into that category and is the man the Boro boss wants to come into partner either Leroy Lita, Jeremie Aliadiere or Marvin Emnes.[LNB] Despite plenty of attractive play from Middlesbrough last night, they were unable to pose too much problem to a concrete Sheffield United defence led by Chris Morgan.[LNB] And Southgate said: We would like to address that.[LNB] The pace we have up front caused problems but a target man can give you a different dimension.[LNB] We know what we want and we have to be patient.[LNB] You need someone who can chip in with at least 15 goals and strikers who can reach double figures.[LNB] That is something we know we have to try improve upon and we are looking to strengthen in certain areas.[LNB] Im pleased with the performance to a degree.[LNB] We had the possession and commitment you need and it was a great example of what the league is about and there are no better exponents than Sheffield United.[LNB] Aston Villa manager Martin ONeill was in the stands to run the rule over David Wheater, even though Boro are desperate to retain him this summer.[LNB] And Southgate will assess the fitness of Didier Digard on Monday after the French midfielder had to be withdrawn with a groin problem in the first half.[LNB] His departure comes at the wrong time for Southgate, who knows that Gary ONeil Digards replacement last night is pencilled in for an operation on a hernia complaint on Tuesday.[LNB] If neither are fit to play at Swansea next weekend, Julio Arca is likely to partner Rhys Williams in the middle of midfield.[LNB] Williams showed the sort of display that is likely to earn him a regular slot under Southgate, although there were also good displays in defence and in attack.[LNB] We stood up to the battle and got an important clean sheet and there were some pleasing individual performances, said Southgate, impressed by a 23,000-plus crowd. We looked strong but lacked quality in the final third and adding a physical presence will be important.[LNB] The fact we got the size of the crowd we did was brilliant and the atmosphere before and during was top drawer. The fans saw we are going to have 11 men totally committed who are going to work incredibly hard for the shirt and wear it with pride.[LNB] And we are in a division which will be extremely competitive and any one of 12 or 14 could be promoted.[LNB] I saw we are favourites to go up, which I would rather be, but we will have to work for every point and very goal and as long as our mentality is right we are capable of doing that.[LNB] Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell, whose side had the better chances, was satisfied with the result and has warned the rest of the Championship that his team will get better.[LNB] We had some great chances early on but its very positive, he said. We are stronger and more accomplished on the ball than last season.[LNB] I would still like us to get the ball down but that will come with the amount of youngsters we have.[LNB] We need more composure and to be more clinical in the last third but away from home it was very encouraging.[LNB]
