Middlesbrough v Swansea City - Three points and a bottle of wine for Neil Warnock

ASKED what he wanted for his birthday on Tuesday, Neil Warnock put a ‘nice bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape’ at the top of that particular list.
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock: Wants birthday points.Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock: Wants birthday points.
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock: Wants birthday points.

If he did receive a bottle of the famous French red wine, the Middlesbrough manager, who has just turned 72, might just have saved a glass or two in the event of his side securing a victory this evening.

Toasting it with three points would be another belated gift for Warnock following the news that the influential Paddy McNair has signed a new deal keeping him at the club until June 2024.

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The veteran manager has put Boro back on an even keel following a rocky spell under predecessor Jonathan Woodgate, who was sacked following a comprehensive 3-0 home defeat to tonight’s opponents in June – in the Teessiders’ first game after the first lockdown.

Warnock has been around the block long enough to know that a hectic December itinerary will be a key one in the context of their season in establishing themselves as a top-six contender or slipping down the order.

Warnock, without Grant Hall (thigh) until the Spring, said: “We are probably about where we thought we would be, but I do not think that takes away from where we should be.

“It is a big disappointment for me. I think anyone can get promoted in the league at the moment, apart from probably the bottom four or five.

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“After Christmas is the time to put a run together. If we can, I will be delighted.”

Last six games: Middlesbrough WDDLWL; Swansea WDLWDW.

Referee: K Stroud (Hants).

Last time: Middlesbrough 0 Swansea 3, June 20, 2020; Championship.

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