Late booster for Boro

Last updated: 14th April 2008

alan mcinally 12 04

McInally: Boro boost

As soon as Middlesbrough came out for the second half they were absolutely magnificent. They'll probably feel unlucky that they haven't got more out of the game.

Alan McInally
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Alan McInally watched Middlesbrough sum up their season in 90 minutes at Tottenham - by finishing strongly.

Gareth Southgate's side fell behind to a Jonathan Grounds own goal at White Hart Lane, but salvaged a deserved point thanks to Stewart Downing's deflected equaliser.

It left Boro in 13th place in the Premier League, but McInally is convinced their strong finish to the season bodes well for all at the Riverside.

"It's important the way they are playing right now because we are getting to the stage where Gareth Southgate starts to strengthen the team for next year," he told Soccer Saturday.

"And of all the teams outside of the top four going for the title, Middlesbrough of those in that area, are by far the best. By far the best."

Southgate himself admitted it was the archetypal game of two halves and McInally did not disagree.

He hailed Dimitar Berbatov's first-half performance as the highlight of a fine opening period from the home side, but lamented their lack of incentive after the Carling Cup win and European qualification.

"Spurs were brilliant in the first half but they can be brilliant and demoralise teams. But if they don't go two goals up, you fear for them," he said.

Magnificent

"I suppose you can touch on Merse's Magalufing point (teams already 'on holiday'), but they've done everything they had to do to win a but of silverware this season and now they've chucked it in, to be honest."

Boro are not going to make Europe and are within sight of Premier League safety themselves.

But somehow they found the desire to dominate after the break to an extent where McInally felt they could even have gone on and won the game.

"As soon as Middlesbrough came out for the second half they were absolutely magnificent," he said.

"They'll probably feel unlucky that they haven't got more out of the game. Stewart Downing was excellent and the back two, David Wheater and Emanuel Pogatetz were fantastic.

"Gareth made a change and he took off Grounds, put on Adam Johnson and moved Downing to left back. And actually it was from that position, cutting in and his shot taking a little deflection of Jermaine Jenas, that they got the goal. After that (Afonso) Alves really should've wrapped the points up for them.

"Boro are finishing fantastically well and Gareth will be delighted. They'll be alright."