Boro Mania

Middlesbrough reverted to their old ways at the Riverside, going down 3-1 to Bolton Wanderers. After 2 good away performances picking up 4 points from a possible 6 against two good teams, Middlesbrough returned to the Riverside Stadium for what most fans would label a "winnable" game. Typical Boro, they wasted the chance to move into the top six and capitulated in the first ten minutes, gifting the 3 points to a very average Bolton team.

Gareth Southgate made the decision to bring back Jeremie Aliadiere, after the Frenchman missed the trip to Goodison Park through illness, moving Gary O'Neil back into the centre of midfield. David Wheater was brought back into the heart of the Boro defence with Chris Riggott missing through injury. Mido was due to sit on the bench but pulled out of the game after a late fitness test.

Boro got off to a shocking start with Ross Turnbull called into action as early as the second minute to keep out a header from Gary Cahill and all of the early running was being made by the visitors. Bolton got themselves on the scoresheet in the 7th minute as Boro lost the ball through O'Neil deep in Bolton territory, a quick break and a poor challenge from Emanuel Pogatetz lead to a free kick in a dangerous area. The free kick was sent in to the backpost and Gretar Steinsson was on hand to head past Turnbull, with a little deflection off Kevin Davies.

The bad start got even worse moments later as Steinsson's low ball was well controlled by Taylor in the Boro box, the former Portsmouth player turned inside Gary O'Neil and drilled the ball home to give Boro an uphill task.

Middlesbrough almost pulled a goal back on 11 minutes when, after a scramble in the Bolton box, Gary O'Neil pounced on a loose ball to drill a low shot that looked goalbound until Nolan popped up to clear off the line.

Boro continued to press and created a couple of half chances for Alves and Tuncay but were not able to test Jussi Jaskelainen, going in at half time trailing by two goals.

Middlesbrough threatened early on in the second half with Tuncay at the heart of a couple of good moves but Bolton were defending well and in numbers. Afonso Alves had a couple of opportunities to test Jaskelainen from free kicks but both efforts were woefully off target as the Brazilian's confidence seemed to visibilly drain from him.

With the fans getting restless Boro made changes as they tried to claw their way back into the game with Adam Johnson, Marvin Emnes and Julio Arca coming on for Aliadiere, Alves and Taylor.

Middlesbrough were given a lifeline in the 77th minute as a Downing corner was not properly cleared and Emanuel Pogatetz crashed home a left footed shot into the tp of the net.

Unbelievably, or maybe not for Boro fans!, the result was put beyond doubt just a minute later as the impressive Johan Elmander crashed home a 15 yard drive after Boro failed to clear a ball into the box.

A dreadful result for Boro with the game all but over in the first ten minutes, though the performance was not as bad as the result may suggest there were still a number of areas that need improving, none more so than the midfield. Afonso Alves came in for a lot of criticism and is quickly turning into a target for the boo boys. I myself do not share their view that he is just not good enough for the Premier League, I think Nicolas Anelka or Fernando Torres would struggle to get goals in this current Boro team. Alves is a top class finisher going through a crisis in confidence. He has pace, good skill and makes excellent, intelligent, runs. The problem is we have nobody able to pick those runs out, resulting in Alves getting himself into offside positions too often.

For me Gary O'Neil should have remained on the right and Julio Arca should have started in the middle as he is capable of seeing the runs and picking out the forward pass. Defensively today we were awful, i'm just hoping it was a blip ahead of the Tees-Tyne derby.

Player Ratings

Ross Turnbull - 6 - Nothing spectactular and no real chance with the goals, not his best display for Boro.

Justin Hoyte - 6 - Tried his best to get forward and support the attack, caught out of position a coupe of times.

Andrew Taylor - 4 - Poor game for Taylor, exposed badly as a weak link and targetted by Bolton.

Emanuel Pogatetz - 5 - Poggy had a poor game, stupid foul for 1st goal and didn't defend well up against the physical Bolton attack.

David Wheater - 5 - Pretty average performance, a bad start to the game as he looked shaky.

Gary O'Neil - 5 - Moved back into the middle of the park and was not as effective. Put in plenty of work but needed to get forward more, not enough service to the front two from the midfield.

Didier Digard - 6 - Worked hard and was busy in the midfield, has got to learn when to play the simple ball rather than going for the "hollywood" ball everytime, I think Didier will turn into a very good signing.

Stewart Downing - 8 - Boro's best performer for me, always looked threatening and was unlucky not to score.

Jeremie Aliadiere - 6 - Looked threatening in the early exchanges but faded badly.

Tuncay - 6 - Very little space to operate in, Bolton packed the midfield and Fabrice Muamba sat deep preventing Tuncay getting too much of the ball.

Afonso Alves - 6 - I thought he looked good early on, in the first half he wanted the ball and tried his best to create something. Starved of service in the second half, though should have maybe scored with a headed chance. Two woeful free kick attempts belies his current lack of confidence, he would consistently hit the target from free kicks last season, badly needs a goal.

Middlesbrough Substitutions

Adam Johnson - 6 - Looked dangerous with the ball but needs to improve his final ball.

Julio Arca - 5 - Put on at left back and wasn't really involved, strange substitution unless Taylor had picked up a knock.

Marvin Emnes - 6 - Not given enough time to get into the game and given very little service.