How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's 3-0 defeat at Coventry City?


COVENTRY (3-4-1-2):

Wilson 6; Thomas 6, McFadzean 7, Latibeaudiere 7; van Ewijk 6 (Sakamoto 65, 6), Eccles 7, Sheaf 7, Dasilva 6 (Bidwell 77); Palmer 7 (Kelly 77); GODDEN 8 (Andrews 90), Simms 6 (Wright 66, 7).

Subs (not used): Collins (gk), Binks, Stretton, Obikwu.


MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

6 Dieng: Couldn’t really have done much with any of the goals and continues to look composed with the ball at his feet

4 McNair: Attacking down the right-hand side doesn’t come naturally to him and he was found wanting defensively too

5 Fry: Did reasonably well against Simms for the opening hour or so, but didn’t always use the ball especially effectively

4 Lenihan: Was somewhat unfortunate to score his last-minute own goal, but didn’t look secure for much of the afternoon

4 Coulson: Fired a first-half effort wide of the target, but struggled to deal with Coventry’s fluid forwards

7 HACKNEY: Boro’s best player by a distance – the only midfielder in red looking to get his foot on the ball to create something

5 Barlaser: Never really got a grip on the midfield battle, especially in the first half when Coventry’s counter-attacking caused problems

5 Jones: Only really threatened in flashes, and fired a decent second-half opportunity into the side-netting

4 Crooks: Is always a willing enough worker, but lacks the finesse and creativity required to replace Akpom in the number ten role

6 Silvera: Showed enough to suggest he can cause a threat at Championship level – but missed a great opportunity in the second half

5 Rogers: Looked much better when he dropped deeper at the start of the second half – is being asked to do a job he is not suited for


Subs:

5 Howson (for Barlaser, 65): Wasn’t able to make a difference as he made his third substitute appearance in a row

5 Forss (for Jones, 65): Didn’t make an impact in the closing stages after being dropped from the starting side

Coburn (for Crooks, 80)

McGree (for Coulson, 80)

(not used): Glover (gk), van den Berg, Bilongo, Gilbert, Payero.


Man Of The Match: MATTY GODDEN – The Coventry forward scored the opener and had a major hand in his side’s other two goals.