Mowbray wants Lita on the goal trail

29 December 2010 13:30
Tony Mowbray has backed Middlesbrough striker Leroy Lita to continue scoring in the New Year after the striker doubled his tally for the season. Lita was on target in his side's 3-1 win at Preston on Tuesday, notching a brace that saw him register goals three and four for the campaign. The victory kept Mowbray's team out of the bottom three going into the New Year and the manager was delighted his decision to start the diminutive frontman paid dividends. "I thought beforehand that Leroy's dynamic style would be more suitable for playing against the Preston defence," Mowbray said in the Evening Gazette. "I know it was harsh on Scott McDonald because he had scored two goals for us in the last four games. "But I'm paid to make decisions and this one came off. Leroy was a constant threat, scored two good goals, and might even have had a couple more before the end of the game. We asked him to carry out a disciplined role at Preston and do certain things on the pitch and he carried it out to the letter. "Obviously he hasn't been banging in the goals like that every week. But I'm sure that those two goals will do him the world of good and drive him on to try to score more."

Source: PA