MIDDLESBROUGH target Sean Davis chose to go to a wedding instead of witnessing his possible future employers take on his current club Fulham.

And the manager who is so keen to take him to the Riverside, Steve McClaren, should be relieved the 23-year-old midfielder was not in attendance at Loftus Road after Saturday's disappointing display.

Boro were, at times, torn apart by an adventurous Fulham side who have been tipped by most pundits to lose their top-flight status this season.

The performance, which resulted in the Cottagers winning 3-2 in an entertaining season opener, further highlighted just why McClaren is so desperate to boost his playing staff with two midfielders.

The Boro boss is keen to stress just what his squad's needs are in the middle of the pitch.

McClaren, who knows his club have agreed a £5m fee along with Everton for Davis's services, has also been in talks with Spaniard Gaizka Mendieta.

But the former England coach is having to remain patient until he receives a decision from either player on where they will be playing their football this season.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman is resigned to losing the services of Davis, he said: "No, I don't think he will change his mind. I think his mind's made up. Middlesbrough are a good club. Now we'll have to wait and see what we decide to do and what Sean does."

Failure to land new blood this summer to boost their midfield ranks, ultimately cost Boro dear against Fulham.

George Boateng, who had only played 45 minutes of pre-season action, was rushed back to play in the centre of the pitch, which left a lot resting on the shoulders of Brazilian Doriva.

Despite suffering more away day blues - Boro only won three League games on their travels throughout the 2002-03 campaign - McClaren believes his side were unlucky not to come away with at least a point in an entertaining opening match-up.

Goals from Carlos Marinelli and substitute Szilard Nemeth gave Boro a chance, and it could have been different had Malcolm Christie converted a penalty with the score at 2-1 to the hosts.

And McClaren said: "For the neutral it was an excellent game of football.

"The team went for it. In the end the defining moment was the penalty.

"We fancied ourselves to get something from that but it wasn't to be. It's disapponting to lose the opening game though.

"Nine times out to ten if you score two and have a penalty away from home you will win the game.

"Obviously we conceded three which is something we have to look at. If we go away from and keep scoring like that we will win games.

"You are always looking to progress into the top half of the table. But we needed a couple into the midfied area if we are to do that.

"I believe if we can get two quality midfielders then we will be a far better squad."

But had Boro returned to the North-East with a point they would have been very fortunate.

McClaren's decision to play with a lone striker back-fired, as Fulham continually found space down the flanks through impressive Frenchmen Steed Malbranque and Steve Marlet.

The last time Boro enjoyed a win at Fulham was in December 1985 - when current manager Chris Coleman was still at school.

At 33 Coleman is the youngest Premiership manager, but on the basis of Saturday's display he has already learned exactly how to rally his troops.

Right from the first whistle the hosts were clearly out to prove they were not going to be the whipping boys many pundits have predicted.

Louis Saha, Malbranque and Sylvain Legwinski all had efforts before Boro grabbed a shock opening goal - and it was through Fulham's own making.

With ten minutes gone, Marinelli - handed a rare start on the right wing - robbed Martin Djetou of possession and the Argentinian cooly slotted the ball beyond goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

That goal was harsh on Fulham and they responded in the perfect manner eight minutes later.

Jerome Bonnissel's cross was flicked on by Saha and Marlet slid in at the back post to volley in the equaliser.

Fulham continued to create chances but their second did not come until the 56th minute.

This time Malbranque's cross was laid off by former Newcastle loan-star Saha before Junichi Inamoto, who had just missed a glorious chance from eight yards, struck beyond Mark Schwarzer.

Inamoto turned villain moments later when he handled inside the box, but van der Sar - who kept his place despite the arrival of £500,000 Mark Crossley from Boro - superbly saved Christie's spot-kick to his right.

And with 20 minutes to go Fulham made Boro pay when influential Saha volleyed Fulham's third after Malbranque's initial shot was blocked.

Boro, who had brought on Nemeth as a second striker, were thrown a lifeline with nine minutes left when the Slovakian lobbed the ball into an empty net after van der Sar had foolishly ran to the edge of the area.

However, it was too little, too late for the visitors and now McClaren, whose side face a daunting second match against Arsenal on Sunday, is already putting the result to bed.

"People are wrongly writing Fulham off but they are a good side," said McClaren, who had a raft of players missing including Massimo Maccarone and Ugo Ehiogu.

"It's disappointing to lose the first one but there are 37 games to go and we will try to improve in every game we play."

Result: Fulham 3 Middlesbrough 2.

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