Source: Northern_Echo
Boro confident they can cope without Johnson
MIDDLESBROUGH expect to be without Adam Johnson for Sunday's Tyne-Tees derby at St James' Park, but the Teessiders are confident they can cope in the absence of their leading goalscorer.[LNB] Without Johnson's nine goals this season Middlesbrough would be struggling in the bottom half of the Championship.[LNB] And for the second time in four matches they must cope without the highly-rated winger despite receiving encouraging news on his slight hamstring tear.[LNB] Johnson is unlikely to figure at Newcastle on Sunday but there are hopes he will be fit to face Scunthorpe at the Riverside Stadium on Boxing Day.[LNB] In the 22-year-old's absence, however, Strachan's backroom team is confident there is enough attacking talent in the dressing room to cause the Magpies problems, even if the much-sought after talent is missing.[LNB] It's always a blow when your top goalscorer is out of the team, but equally when he didn't play we scored five goals at QPR, so it's difficult to know how much we will miss him at Newcastle, said first team coach Steve Agnew.[LNB] The QPR game is an indication that we can cope without him. Sometimes we do look to Adam a bit more than we look to other players, particularly in one-versus-one situations, to create and score, which he has done.[LNB] But maybe when he's not in the team other players may take a little bit more responsibility in creating chances and scoring goals themselves, which did happen at QPR.[LNB] Ironically Strachan's only win since taking over from Gareth Southgate in late October was at QPR, when Johnson was absent and his teammates turned in their performance of the season.[LNB] Since then Middlesbrough have lost back-to-back home fixtures with Blackpool and Cardiff, with tensions among the supporters growing after dropping ten points adrift of second placed West Brom.[LNB] Last Sunday's defeat to Cardiff was not the worst performance of the season, but the manner in which Chris Burke's free-kick evaded everyone before bouncing beyond goalkeeper Brad Jones infuriated fans.[LNB] Jones bore the brunt of the criticism during the match, with calls for his more experienced deputy Danny Coyne to be recalled to the starting line-up.[LNB] But Agnew feels Jones can bounce back and prove the boo-boys wrong by recapturing the form the coaching staff believe he is capable of.[LNB] A couple of weeks ago against Nottingham Forest he was arguably our best player, said Agnew. We drew the game and he made save after save after save.[LNB] He will be the first to admit that he has not been as consistent over the last few games, but he has a tough mentality. He is one of the more experienced players in the group.[LNB] I would say any reaction from Brad towards the criticism would be positive and on the front foot. He is, though, strong enough to take criticism and get on with his game.[LNB] Johnson might be Strachan's biggest concern ahead of the Newcastle date, but the Middlesbrough manager also has major defensive worries.[LNB] With Sean St Ledger, who remains on Teesside, unavailable until he has completed a permanent move from Preston, the door has opened for other centrebacks.[LNB] But Chris Riggott is also unlikely to figure at Newcastle because he is not due to return to training until Friday with an Achilles complaint.[LNB] Seb Hines, meanwhile, has been pencilled into see a specialist amid fears he received significant damage to his ankle playing for the reserves.[LNB] Boro are close to selling out their 2, 757 allocation for Sunday's trip to St James' Park. There are still a few remaining tickets priced £25 (adults), £19 (over 65s and students) and £13 (under- 18s).[LNB] Tickets are also now available for Middlesbrough's FA Cup tie with Manchester City on January 2. Prices range between £13 and £30.[LNB]
