ALEN Boksic is a man of few words.

He tends to do all his talking on the football pitch.

With the clinical accuracy of a Mafiosi hitman, Middlesbrough's silent assassin struck twice to leave Coventry dead and buried.

It was just like Clint Eastwood in the classic spaghetti westerns as he finished his two goals in a cool, calm and calculated manner.

He should have had a hat-trick when referee Barry Knight bizarrely ruled out a thumping 22nd-minute header from Keith O'Neill's left-wing cross.

The official felt Gary Pallister had fouled Colin Hendry just ahead of Boksic's finish.

That could have made it 2-0 at the time after the Croatian frontman had set up Boro's first goal just three minutes earlier with a piece of trickery on the left before a cunning cross which was headed in by fellow new boy Joseph-Desire Job.

Still, despite John Eustace giving Coventry an undeserved equaliser in the 41st minute, Boro powered home with a second-half display of poise and panache.

A lot like their new striking hero, whose £2m fee from Lazio is an absolute bargain compared to Coventry counterpart Craig Bellamy, who had an anonymous debut after his £6.5m move from Norwich.

Afterwards, Boksic, who also earned a yellow card for a first-half foul, just smiled when quizzed about his efforts.

"I don't understand," he said in broken English. But he enjoyed his goals as he added: "It was very good."

Before he left though, he asked earnestly: "Where's the bar?"

Obviously what little English he has been taught has included the line of how to get to the watering hole, but you can bet there will have been queues of Boro fans wanting to buy him a drink after this sublime performance.

Champagne would have been apt for a champagne performance.

It left boss Bryan Robson drooling as he said: "When I've seen Boksic play he has always excited me. That's why I wanted him.

"He's not played in any pre-season matches and only been involved in training.

"Can he improve on today? I certainly hope he can - that would be exciting."

Boksic felt two crunching tackles as his introduction into the Premiership and you did wonder whether he would be able to cope with the rough and tumble of the English game.

But there was little to worry about as he continually created time and space for himself with little bursts of speed and quick-thinking.

He was always one step ahead of the Coventry back line and his link-up play with Job was a joy to watch.

The £3m Cameroon international also impressed with his tricky runs and willing work and deserved his first goal.

It came after he had unselfishly handed a scoring opportunity to Brian Deane in the 15th minute, but the Boro frontman saw his chip from eight yards strike the bar.

Boro were rampaging in attack and looked solid and creative in midfield with another summer signing Christian Karembeu composed and Paul Ince his tigerish self.

The defence also looked steady until just before the break when Eustace was left unmarked to send a stooping header past Mark Schwarzer from David Thompson's right-wing free-kick.

It was sloppy, but just when you expected Coventry to storm forward in the second half with greater confidence, it was Boro who took charge.

Boksic grabbed his first in the 59th minute when he beat Magnus Hedman at the second attempt after a long ball from Gary Pallister, and the Boro centre-back turned provider again three minutes later.

He strode forward superbly before slipping a pass to Boksic, who calmly chipped Hedman for his second.

Coventry were in disarray and suffered more woe in the 71st minute when Thompson was sent off for his second bookable offence. He tackled Ince from behind and then kicked the ball away in frustration, which left Mr Knight no option but to punish him for his petulance.

Boro then turned on the style with a fantastic 28-pass move three minutes from time which saw Noel Whelan drag a shot wide.

The former Coventry striker then had a close-range effort saved by Hedman when it looked odds on he would also open his Boro goal account.

That would have been a dream for Boro and Robson, who had brought the trio of frontmen to boost his side's attack.

It looks like it might pay off, although Coventry were weak and will struggle this season. They have had 34 consecutive seasons of top flight football, but that could well end come next May.

Robson himself is hoping his side, who face Spurs at the Riverside tomorrow, can at last challenge at the top end of the table.

"This squad is probably the strongest I've had in my time with the club," he said. "I'm pleased with the new lads for they have fitted in well. It was a good performance, where we created a lot of chances.

"I'm pleased for the fans as I know they were disappointed when Juninho left. It was always my intention however to bring quality players to the club. Nobody is going to get carried away but hopefully we can continue this kind of performance."