Middlesbrough defence can keep them in the Premier League, says Ronald Koeman
Sunday 12 February 2017 11:25, UK
Ronald Koeman has backed Middlesbrough to stay in the Premier League after holding his Everton side to a draw on Saturday.
Goalkeepers Victor Valdes and Joel Robles starred in the 0-0 stalemate at the Riverside, meaning Boro continue their run as the lowest scorers in the top flight and have netted only 11 times at home this season.
Despite Middlesbrough's struggles in front of goal, Everton manager Koeman was suitably convinced their opposition have enough to avoid the drop.
"Of course you need to score to win games but they are difficult to beat and they showed that today, and it gives confidence to the team if they can keep clean sheets," said Koeman.
"(Adama) Traore and (Gaston) Ramirez are really creative players and they support the strikers. In my opinion they are strong enough to keep their position in the Premier League."
Koeman revealed he left James McCarthy and Kevin Mirallas out of the squad for the trip to the Riverside Stadium but expects them both to be back to face Sunderland in a fortnight.
Koeman added: "James had a little bit of stiffness after last weekend and with his history of injuries I did not want to take any risks and left him out of the 18.
"Kevin had a groin problem, so it was the same. I prefer to have really fit players on the bench and that is why they were not in the squad."
Middlesbrough remain just two points above the relegation places following the draw, and manager Aitor Karanka urged caution despite an improved performance.
"I don't want to be complacent because we played really well but we have just one point, so we have to keep going and playing at least the way we have today," said Karanka.
"We don't have a lot of Premier League experience but we are adding to this experience. In our last five games against top 10 teams, we have competed against them all.
"I am really positive about this because when we play against teams who are fighting with us in the relegation positions, we will win more games."
