Player Ratings v Middlesbrough (a)

Last updated : 09 August 2004 By Brian Cartlidge

Maik Taylor - Far from his best, but not helped by those in front of him.

Martin Taylor - Maybe at fault for Boro Goal 4, but otherwise sound and decent going forward. Good touch for a big man.

Grainger - Slow starting as you'd expect, but did well and gave tremendous service from set pieces.

Cunningham - Some dreadful decision making, and all over the place at times.

Upson - Awful performance from start to finish. At fault for at least two goals, and never timed a tackle right all game.

Johnson - Took a knock early on and only played a half, but tried his best.

Lazaridis - Love him or hate him, he is a provider, and proved a threat throughout.

Clemence - Not really mentioned in my report, but that doesn't reflect his excellent all-round display. Took on the 'Savage' role and revelled in it.

Hughes - In and out of the game, but always willing and trying to create.

Forssell - Stunning all-round performance, and the best outfield player on the pitch by a long, long way. We HAVE to keep him.

Morrison - Ran around a lot, held the ball up ok, ran into wide areas, fell over a lot, scored with an open goal in front of him, didn't score with a goalkeeper in front of him.

SUBS: (Just the one...)

John - It may surprise his critics to know he did work fairly hard and ran around a fair bit. Tried, but it didn't quite happen for him.

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Carter, Cisse, Barrowman.

For Match Report, CLICK HERE