Source: Northern_Echo
McDonald remains undaunted by great expectations
SCOTT McDonald insists his Middlesbrough team-mates are capable of coping with the pressure of being favorites for the Championship, despite getting off to a disappointing start.[LNB] Boro are still looking for their first win of the season after the shock home defeat to Ipswich on the opening day and last weekend's draw at Leicester and they face a tough challenge tomorrow when they welcome Sheffield United to the Riverside.[LNB] The Blades are also looking for their first win of the season after a disastrous start saw manager Kevin Blackwell sacked and replaced by Gary Speed. McDonald, beginning his first full season at the club, believes it's down to the players to win the fans over after their bad start and claims the side should be able to deal with the pressure to get promoted.[LNB] There's a lot of convincing to do, not just the fans but everyone, and only the players can go out there and do that,[LNB] he said There's going to be a lot of expectation because we've spent a lot of money, but as a whole we've got to deal with that and put in the performances everyone's looking for.[LNB] We can only get better I don't think we could get any worse and it will take time for people to start playing as a unit.[LNB] The injuries don't make it any easier but we have a strong squad, so there should be players ready to come in and do the job.[LNB] It's been good to get some training in this week. It's been tough but we've got a few more days to prepare and with the cameras being there it's a big occasion for us, so hopefully we can show a few people why they are backing us to get promotion this year.[LNB] Despite Boro's slow start, the Australian has found his own form, with two goals in two games, and hopes there will be a lot more to come this season.[LNB] From a personal point of view I've started off OK, he said.[LNB] When I first came here I had an injury and never really found my fitness until the end of last season, so it's good to be back to full fitness and hopefully there'll be plenty more goals to come.[LNB] Boro fans will be hoping Mc- Donald and strike partner, Kris Boyd, can form a deadly partnership this season and the Australian believes the former Rangers man will soon find his feet in the Championship.[LNB] It takes time to fit into a new club and Boydy's come to a new country as well, so things are going to be different here, he said.[LNB] When you're at a club like Rangers or Celtic, sometimes you get more chances. Here you're going to have to live off a bit less than that and sometimes play against better players.[LNB] But Boydy is a fantastic goalscorer. You only need to watch training to see how good he is, how sharp and lively he is around the box.[LNB] It's only been two games, there's a long way to go and I'm sure he'll get off the mark soon hopefully on Sunday.[LNB]
