Neil Warnock’s positive approach working well for Middlesbrough and Marvin Johnson

THE instruction bellowed out from Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock to Marvin Johnson on Wednesday night certainly worked a treat.
Middlesbrough's Marvin Johnson (left) celebrates scoring against Nottingham Forest at the Riverside last month. Picture: Richard Sellers/PAMiddlesbrough's Marvin Johnson (left) celebrates scoring against Nottingham Forest at the Riverside last month. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA
Middlesbrough's Marvin Johnson (left) celebrates scoring against Nottingham Forest at the Riverside last month. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA

Moments before his lovely curled finish to register Boro’s third goal in their comfortable 3-0 victory over Derby County, Johnson was tracking back to add numbers to the hosts’ defence as the Rams sought a consolation.

Warnock had other ideas and told him in no uncertain terms to stay on the half-way line. It proved inspired as Boro immediately broke on the counter and George Saville slotted in Johnson for his fine strike.

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The goal followed on from his fine late effort in the win over more East Midlands opponents in Nottingham Forest last month.

Middlesbrough's Marvin Johnson (left) and Reading's Lucas Joao battle for the ball during. Picture: Richard Sellers/PAMiddlesbrough's Marvin Johnson (left) and Reading's Lucas Joao battle for the ball during. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA
Middlesbrough's Marvin Johnson (left) and Reading's Lucas Joao battle for the ball during. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA

Warnock, who also professed delight in Britt Assombalonga netting for just the second time this term, said: “When we first watched him (Johnson) at Oxford before he came up here, we potentially thought he was a very good wide player.

“He has got to doing what he did there. I kept him up front later on and he made a good run and produced a good finish and it will not do any harm for his confidence.

“Britt was just desperate for a goal, thank God he got one and it was a great header from Duncan (Watmore).”

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Making his first full start since Boxing Day and first competitive appearance since February, Watmore put in a exhaustive shift on his Boro bow and Warnock expressed satisfaction afterwards.

The Boro chief, whose side visit one of his old clubs tomorrow in Huddersfield Town, added: “I thought he did super.

“We were told their full-back does not go forward and he was the one bombing on for England and poor old Duncan was chasing shadows half the time.

“But he did it, stuck at it and worked at it. He came off shattered, but that is how he should be when he is working for me. He did his ‘whack’ and he and Roberts contributed.

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“I was really pleased he (Watmore) contributed as he was working his socks off for his first game in goodness how long. I wanted to be a bit more positive with Duncan and (Patrick) Roberts and (Marcus) Tavernier on the other side.

“I thought it paid off and we played some good stuff. You are going to run out of legs and steam around about the hour mark, so to put two more on and see a goal like Marvin scored was incredible.”

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