Source: SKY_Sports
Southgate keen to sign striker
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate admitted that he needs to strengthen his attacking options after seeing his players struggle to create chances in their 0-0 draw at home to Sheffield United.[LNB] Boro dominated proceedings in the season opener at the Riverside Stadium on Friday night but, while wingers Mark Yeates and Adam Johnson enjoyed plenty of possession out wide, Blades goalkeeper Mark Bunn faced just one shot on target.[LNB]Southgate said after the match that he was encouraged by the way his young side stood up to United's physical approach, but he admits they need to find another route to goal.[LNB]"It was a decent performance," he told Sky Sports 1.[LNB]"I think we'll have left here a bit flat because we haven't won the game, but I don't think there was much between the two teams[LNB]"I don't think we worked their goalkeeper enough but we gave a performance full of commitment, we stood up to the physical challenge and there were some real pluses for us as well in terms of the individual performances.[LNB]"We'd have loved the win. I think it highlighted we're a little bit short at present, but I can't fault the players' effort and attitude."[LNB]Asked if he would like to add a more physical striker, Southgate said: "We'd like to.[LNB]"The pace that we had caused a lot of problems but when you stick crosses in the box a target man can give you a different dimension.[LNB]"That's the sort of thing we'd like to add. We know what we'd like to do, but we've got to be patient as to when we can do it."[LNB]BoosA section of the 24,000-strong crowd jeered the team as they left the field, but Southgate wanted to highlight the positives.[LNB]"I think it was brilliant, the crowd that we got," he said.[LNB]"The atmosphere before and during the game was great and, inevitably, when you can't get the winner, you get a bit of booing. It's sort of commonplace now.[LNB]"I don't think people could be critical of the commitment."[LNB]
