How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's 3-1 defeat to Coventry City?


MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

5 Glover: Should have done better with the Simms shot that was parried in the build-up to Coventry’s second goal

4 Van den Berg: Struggled against Wright defensively, and wasn’t able to get forward to offer anything down the flank

5 Fry: Won most of his aerial challenges against Simms, but became increasingly ragged as the game wore on

5 Clarke: Made a couple of important blocks inside his own 18-yard box, but was pulled out of position on a couple of occasions

4 Engel: Couldn’t keep Sakamoto quiet and was unable to offer anything positive when he ventured forward down the flank

4 Howson: A disappointing day for the skipper, who never really got hold of things at the heart of midfield

5 Barlaser: Kept the ball moving fairly effectively, but found himself having to play very deep in the second half

5 I Jones: Played well in the first half, crossing for Coburn’s opener, but his effectiveness waned after the break

7 ROGERS: The pick of Boro’s players by a distance, driving forward through the heart of midfield and taking players on

4 Greenwood: Came close with a first-half shot that was tipped over, but faded badly in the second half

5 Coburn: Scored with a well-taken header, but was running on empty in the final quarter of the game


Subs:

Bangura (for Engel, 74)

Gilbert (for Greenwood, 81)

Kavanagh (for van den Berg, 85)

(not used): J Jones (gk), Coulson, Bilongo, Bridge, McCabe, Nkrumah.


COVENTRY (4-2-3-1):

Collins 7; van Ewijk 6, Thomas 7, Binks 6, Bidwell 7; Eccles 6 (Latibeaudiere 70), Sheaf 6; SAKAMOTO 8, O’Hare 7 (Dasilva 88), Wright 8 (Palmer 81); Simms 7 (Godden 70).

Subs (not used): Wilson (gk), McFadzean, Allen, Ayari, Tavares


Man Of The Match: TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO – Scored twice, and came within inches of claiming a hat-trick when he hit the post late on.