Source: SKY_Sports
Diagnosis: relegation
Bolton 4-1 MiddlesbroughSoccer Saturday analysis[LNB] Middlesbrough's Premier League survival hopes have been in ill health for many weeks - and Dr Tony Cottee feels the prognosis is not good for Gareth Southgate's men.[LNB]Cottee was watching on as Boro were thrashed 4-1 at Bolton with goals from Kevin Davies, Gary Cahill, Matt Taylor and Ricardo Gardner leaving Boro's survival chances in a critical state.[LNB]Boro were given a thorough examination all afternoon, but after failing to take their chances and making mistakes at the back, Cottee feels they are showing all of the symptoms of relegation.[LNB]"Middlesbrough did attack, but they just didn't take their chances," Cottee said on Soccer Saturday.[LNB]"Defensively they were really, really poor - although there were some good goals in the game. [LNB]"I think the key time was just after half-time when Tuncay had three or four chances and every single one of them went wide. He didn't get the shots on target.[LNB]"Then Bolton got a bit of a flukey third goal direct from a free-kick and then you sort of expected Bolton to get the fourth goal afterwards.[LNB]"It was a combination of bad defending and not taking their chances. It could have been so different for Middlesbrough, but those are classic relegation symptoms."[LNB]WorstThe result was Middlesbrough's ninth straight away defeat in the Premier League - their worst top-flight away run since World War Two - and Cottee feels their confidence is at rock bottom.[LNB]Their next two games are at home to Hull City and Fulham and he believes Southgate's side must win both if they are to have any chance of staying up.[LNB]He added: "It just shows how important those next two home games are when you realise the two games after that are Arsenal and Manchester United.[LNB]"Those two games will be they key, but they've only got 27 points and they're five points away from safety now. They're in big, big trouble.[LNB]"They'll keep doing what Gareth Southgate believes in and what the players believe in. They have got some half-decent players there; Downing's good, Tuncay had a good game - but the finishing from Tuncay and Alves wasn't good enough.[LNB]"If you don't take your chances you're going to be in big trouble."[LNB]StatusThings look rather brighter for Bolton who look destined to retain their Premier League status for another season.[LNB]The win takes Gary Megson's side eight points clear of the relegation zone and Cottee feels they can enjoy the rest of the season after some fine individual displays on Saturday.[LNB]"They had some really good performances," he said.[LNB]"I've always felt Ricardo Gardner is a good player, if a little inconsistent at times, and he had a cracking game.[LNB]"Kevin Davies is having an excellent season and took his goal well, Matt Taylor was good and Johan Elmander led the line really well. He played up front on his own and held the ball up, enabling the midfielders to join him.[LNB]"They're on 37 points now and I think they're more or less out of trouble. They should stay up now."[LNB]
