Source: Northern_Echo
Middlesbrough 0 Sheffield United 0
THIS may not have been the perfect start to life outside the Premier League for Middlesbrough, but it was a solid one.[LNB] Sheffield United are shaped precisely to cope with nine months of crunching challenges, no-nonsense tactics with an intention to play too, and Gareth Southgate will now feel his team arent too far away themselves.[LNB] With the exception of a centre-forward providing the sort of strength that Sheffield Uniteds Darius Henderson had in abundance, there were early signs that suggest this Middlesbrough team could be a force this season.[LNB] And almost a year on from being crowned Manager of the Month for August in the top-flight, Southgate can be satisfied with his start to life as a Football League manager.[LNB] There may not have been the goals to celebrate, which highlights where he accepts he will need to strengthen, but there were displays all over the pitch that will have brought a semblance of hope back among supporters after last seasons depressing relegation.[LNB] A goalless draw may not be a result to set pulses racing around the Riverside Stadium, but against last seasons Championship play-off finalists they more than held their own.[LNB] And if Tuncay Sanli and Afonso Alves likely to leave before the end of the month can be replaced with two forwards capable of ruffling Championship defences then early shoots of optimism will surely grow.[LNB] Had results gone to plan in May for the respective clubs, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough would have been playing against one another in the Premier League this season.[LNB] Instead restructuring has been required at both for different reasons, with Southgate forced to cut the clubs cloth and Kevin Blackwell making the readjustments that suited him.[LNB] And, despite losing many of the players that got them to the play-off final in May, it did not take Blackwells new-look team long to show why they are still expected to challenge in the division this season.[LNB] Just 78 seconds had elapsed when goalkeeper Danny Coyne, one of three debutants in the home team, offered an early indication why he has been recruited when he got down low to his left to parry Keith Treacys drive. Robert Huth, captain for the night, cleared.[LNB] But if Middlesbrough were stunned by their opponents start they quickly recovered. And while they found it difficult to breakdown a strong defence, there was plenty of neat and tidy play outside of the area to warm Teesside hearts.[LNB] The midfield, in particular, showed plenty of promise, with Rhys Williams justifying his selection ahead of Julio Arca in the middle alongside Didier Digard and with wing-men Adam Johnson and Mark Yeates switching flanks and causing problems.[LNB] But despite plenty of attractive inter-changing passes, once United goalkeeper Mark Bunn had turned Yeates well-driven left-foot strike from 25 yards behind for a corner, Southgates men failed to seriously test the visitors goal.[LNB] There was a clever run from Johnson, whose tricks eased him past Andy Taylor, but Bunn was equal to the centre and the best of the other efforts fell to the Blades.[LNB] Yet while they created more chances mainly through their powerful target-man Henderson, they found Coyne in no mood to concede his first goal.[LNB] The Wales international, only in because of an injury to Brad Jones, turned away a Stephen Quinn strike from 12 yards before he was thankful to Huth for clearing a similar effort from Ryan France behind for a corner.[LNB] Southgate has been waiting all summer to add a striker in the Henderson mould, but a failure to offload Alves and Tuncay has prevented him from doing so.[LNB] Had he been able to the different option he would have provided would have increased the chances of Middlesbrough taking the lead.[LNB] Instead Jeremie Aliadiere and Marvin Emnes, although lively, were unable to pose much of a threat where it mattered most in the penalty area.[LNB] During a pre-season unbeaten run Southgate witnessed 13 goals from his team, but only Yeates long-range strikes and one from Williams were what Middlesbrough could offer last night.[LNB] And even after Leroy Lita, a replacement for Emnes just after the hour, was introduced, Middlesbrough found it hard to find a way behind the uncompromising Craig Morgan and the defence he marshalled.[LNB] In the latter stages United did enjoy more of the possession, with Lita unable to have the desired impact he would have liked during his time on the pitch.[LNB] Things might have been different had one of three penalty claims been awarded for Middlesbrough, but in truth referee Lee Mason got all three correct and the result was just about fair.[LNB] Middlesbrough and Sheffield United supporters shared a touching minutes applause for Sir Bobby Robson before the match, with both sets of fans chanting theres only one Bobby Robson in a fitting tribute to the former England manager.[LNB] Goals: None[LNB] Bookings: Williams (50, persistent offending[LNB] Sent off: None[LNB] Referee: Lee Mason (Stockport) 6[LNB] Attendance: 23,541[LNB] MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Coyne 7; McMahon 6, Wheater 6, Huth 7, Grounds 6; YEATES 8, Digard 5 (ONeil 42, 5), Williams 7, Johnson 7; Emnes 6 (Lita 65, 5), Aliadiere 6. Subs: Steele, Hoyte, Taylor, Arca, Franks.[LNB] SHEFFIELD UNITED (4-3-2-1): Bunn 7; Taylor 6, Kilgallon 7, Morgan 7, Walker 6; Quinn 7, Montgomery 6, Howard 6 (Evans 68, 5); Treacy 6 (Cotterill 64, 5), France 6; HENDERSON 7. Subs: Bennett, Reid, Bromby, Sharp, Little.[LNB] MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Yeates the main threat for Boro and could be a bargain for £500,000.[LNB]
