Source: Northern_Echo
Fans call for Strachan's head as Boro lose at home
A chorus of We want Strachan out reverberated around the Riverside, before it was drowned out by chants of support from the Leeds fans, who remember the Scotsman fondly thanks to a successful spell at Elland Road.[LNB] Boro have slipped to 20th in the Championship table as a result of today's defeat, even though, for large spells, their performance matched that of their opponents.[LNB] However, with difficult away games against Nottingham Forest and Norwich coming up, things are likely to get worse before they get better.[LNB] Steve Gibson watched today's defeat at the Riverside, and the Boro chairman must now decide whether to give Strachan the opportunity to turn things around.[LNB] Boro fell behind early on, with Leeds striker Davide Somma firing the visitors ahead. Sanchez Watt's left-wing cross took a heavy deflection off Matthew Bates, and Somma was unmarked at the back post as he drilled a low ten-yard volley past Boro keeper Jason Steele.[LNB] Boro's early attacking came to nothing, with Kris Boyd and Gary O'Neil both dragging long-range shots wide of the target.[LNB] Boyd then wasted the Teessiders' best chance of the opening period, heading wide from close range after Tarmo Kink's mishit shot had turned into an inch-perfect cross for the Scottish striker, but he drew Boro level eight minutes into the second half.[LNB] Bates produced an excellent low cross from the right, and Boyd stole ahead of his marker to prod home at the front post.[LNB] The Teessiders were only level for ten minutes though, before Leeds struck again to reclaim the lead.[LNB] Bates' challenge on Becchio led the ball breaking to Bradley Johnson, and after the substitute crossed from the left, Becchio crashed home an excellent volley with the aid of a slight deflection off Somma.[LNB] The Argentinian striker has made an excellent job of standing in for Jermaine Beckford this summer, and he almost claimed a second with a vicious drive that rapped against the corner of bar and post.[LNB] [LNB] MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Steele; Bates, McManus, Wheater, Arca; Bailey, Tavares (Halliday 73), O'Neil, Kink (Lita 66,); Boyd, McDonald.[LNB] Subs (not used): Coyne (gk), Miller, Bennett, McMahon, Smallwood.[LNB] [LNB] LEEDS (4-4-2): Brown; Connolly Collins, Naylor, McCartney (Hughes 34); Snodgrass, Faye (Bromby 86), Howson, Watt (Johnson 38); Becchio, Somma.[LNB] Subs (not used): Alnwick (gk), Gradel, Kilkenny, McCormack.[LNB][LNB]
