Middlesbrough player ratings vs Blackburn with many 5s and a 4 for man who didn’t take his chance

How the Middlesbrough players were rated after a disappointing 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers

Middlesbrough struggled to get going as they were held to a goalless draw at home against Blackburn Rovers.

With a bumper sell-out crowd for the festive fixture at the Riverside, Boro could not send their fans home happy after a display a long way off the standards set in Kim Hellberg’s first four games in charge.

Looking to rebound from their first defeat last time out, they looked more secure defensively, but just could not find their usual flow and quality in attack after suffering a dramatic drop-off after a positive opening 30 minutes. Here’s how the Boro players rated.

Sol Brynn – 6

He did everything he needed to do but was largely untested as Boro defended well enough, while Blackburn sent wide the only two half-decent opportunities they had.

Callum Brittain – 6

Started well and drove Boro forward early on but couldn’t find that final moment.

Luke Ayling – 7

Held things together well at the back as team-mates fell to injury around him. Commanding for Boro to enjoy a degree of control, and positive playing the ball out.

Alfie Jones – 6

Forced off after just 15 minutes with an injury after a typically comfortable start to the game.

Matt Targett – 6

A largely solid performance without offering much in attack. Worryingly became a third Boro defender forced off injured late on.

Alex Gilbert – 5

Not quite as influential as he had been in early games. The game largely passed him by without him doing too much wrong.

Hayden Hackney – 6

Tried to make something happen as he so often does but, like Boro overall, his influence faded after half an hour. Ended up being lucky to stay on when he kicked out in frustration.

Morgan Whittaker – 5

Unlucky with a couple of opportunities in what was a bright start to the game, including smashing one against the post. Sloppiness crept in and he returned to old ways of falling down and being pushed off the ball far too easily.

Micah Hamilton – 4

Handed his big opportunity he just could not take it. He lacked the belief to make anything happen before being axed at half-time.

David Strelec – 5

After a couple of bright early touches, he fell well short of the standard. He lacked the physicality for the battle and spent too often falling down too easily.

Tommy Conway – 5

Typically worked hard for his side but passed up numerous promising openings and took one too many touches in and around the box as he looked to be trying too hard to find a goal.

Substitutions

George Edmundson (For Jones, 16’) – 6 – On for half an hour before being withdrawn at half-time, presumably with a new injury problem.

Dael Fry (For Edmundson, 46’) – 6 – Solid in the second half, as he won what he had to win.

Sverre Nypan (For Hamilton, 46’) – 5 – a couple of brighter moments were probably emphasized by how little impact Hamilton had. He at least tried to make something happen, even if he ultimately could not.

Alan Browne (For Gilbert, 67’) – 6 – Tidy and tenacious from the bench.

Alex Bangura (For Targett, 73’) – 5 – Struggled to get up to speed in the game and had a few sloppy moments in possession.