MICHAEL CARRICK asked a question of Emmanuel Latte Lath – and the Middlesbrough striker answered it emphatically.

Having been dropped to the bench for the first time all season, after failing to score since the opening weekend of the campaign, Latte Lath could have sulked after he was left waiting until the 77th minute before being introduced against Sheffield United.

Not a bit of it. Within three minutes of his introduction, the Ivorian was angling home a header from Finn Azaz’s cross to end his barren run and secure his side a much-needed victory after back-to-back defeats.

Carrick was adamant his decision to drop Latte Lath, with Tommy Conway promoted to the starting line-up instead, was not a big deal. Nevertheless, the Boro boss was delighted with his number nine’s response to being left out of the side.

“It wasn't a major issue really,” said Carrick. “To be totally honest, we've got really good players throughout the squad and there's going to be times when players are in or they don't start the game.

“If anything, I thought Manu coming off the bench, fresh and sharp like he did, would have a big benefit for us tonight.

"We gave him the opportunity to make a difference, so I was delighted with him. I was delighted with him. His reaction to not starting was fantastic, as you'd expect and hope for.

READ MORE:

“It was great to see how pleased everyone was to see him score and to feel winning again. Whoever scored, everyone shared that load today and it was nice to see.”

Latte Lath had gone close to scoring on a number of occasions during his ten-game goalless run, but his weekend display against Bristol City suggested that his confidence was beginning to sag.

Strikers live or die by their goalscoring record, and while the quality of their all-round play might earn praise from their manager, they are unlikely to be happy unless the ball is hitting the net.

As a result, for all that Carrick had been quick to talk up Latte Lath’s mental mood, last night’s header, which brought a first goal of the season from open play, will surely do wonders for the 25-year-old’s mood.

“I'm not underplaying it,” said Carrick. “I'm totally delighted for him. It's an important goal, a hugely important goal for us and the team.

“It's a great ball in from Finn and I thought on the front foot and attacking wise, the boys were really good. They'll gain a lot from that.

“I thought Tommy (Conway) played well for not having played for a little bit. Certainly, Manu is going to take a lot from that, and it was great to see him getting the rewards for all his hard work. Maybe he hasn't always had what he's deserved.”