Learning curve for Alves
10 Feb 2008 - 10:49:23
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- Learning curve for Alves
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is hoping new signing Afonso Alves can learn from his cameo appearance in Saturday's 1-0 win over Fulham.
The Teessiders moved up to 12th in the table after the narrow victory in which Jeremie Aliadiere was on the mark.
Southgate sent on £10million Brazil international Alves with 30 minutes to play at the Riverside and admitted his reason for doing so was two-fold.
He said: "I knew he'd struggle physically because he's not ready, but I had to counter that with the lift he would give the crowd for the last 15 or 20 minutes.
"I think he'll probably be better playing alongside somebody and we asked a lot of him in that role today.
"It will do him the world of good to have dipped his toes into the water and see what the Premier League is about.
"He has had quite a mad two weeks and it has been a tiring spell. In an ideal scenario you bring a player in and allow him to train for a few weeks and get up to speed, but we didn't have the privilege of that position."
Meanwhile, Southgate hailed the display of Aliadiere after the French striker scored for the second time in the space of three games.
"Jeremie has been outstanding for us all season and especially in the last two months or so," he added.
"He has played unselfishly and now he is making the most of his chances and his confidence is growing."