Preview: Town – M’Boro
By Aston
February 6 2010
Town take on an out of sorts Middlesbrough at Portman Road this afternoon, looking to move away from the relegation zone.
Town will be missing Jon Walters because of his hamstring injury along with long term absentees Richard Wright and Luciano Civelli, but will be able to call upon David Healy and Daryl Murphy who joined on-loan from Sunderland on transfer deadline day.
Town manager Roy Keane: "I've been patient with a lot of my players but after the Preston game, I felt we had to look to change things around, we've not had anyone putting the ball in the net on a regular basis and it's been a problem all season. Our top scorer has got six goals, that says it all. Other clubs have got players in double figures now.
"The two new lads will give us something different to the other strikers here. David is a poacher and will get on the end of things while Daryl gives us options both up front and on the left side, although I will be looking to play him as a striker.
"We shouldn't expect miracles from David or Murph, though. We still have to create chances for them and we have to look at their fitness levels as well, they haven't played that much football lately."
Middlesbrough are missing Barry Robson who was sent off against Bristol City but can call on a raft of new signings, Scott McDonald, Lee Miller, Kyle Naughton, Willo Flood, Chris Killen and Stephen McManus.
Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan: "I managed Roy at Celtic so it will be nice to see him again, it is a lot of players coming in at one time, it would have been perfect in the summer but we needed to do something now. We've had about four Under18s in our squad and that's too much for the young lads.
"It will take a wee while to develop an understanding but everyone is a competitor and mentally strong. I wanted to bring people here who see it as a great opportunity and a great challenge, players who have drive and hunger. I have told them that they have to spread the responsibilities around.
"I don't think this club can take any more risks and we don't have the money to gamble now.
"Already in training this week I have heard voices demanding more from each other, which is something I haven't heard here before,"
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