Middlesbrough's 'massive difference' after positive transfer window proves key in Lincoln win. The opening day of the Championship campaign could not have got off to a better start for Middlesbrough. With the atmosphere raucous at the Riverside, new signing Ashley Phillips was unveiled ahead of the game with Lincoln City. He’s the seventh new recruit of what has been an excellent window so far.
What happened?
In a 45 minutes that were miles off the expectations on Teesside this season, Adam Reach’s excellent strike for the visitors separated the two sides at the interval. Last season, it’s fair to say Boro would have probably struggled to win this game from there. Lincoln put 10-11 men behind the ball and tried to make life difficult for Kim Hellberg’s side.
Why it matters for Middlesbrough
This summer, after last season’s struggles with the low-block, finding ways to change that was top of the agenda. Already that work appears to have paid off. Will Lankshear was once again the difference maker. The summer signing grabbed the equaliser just after the hour mark. He then netted the winner after great work from Riley McGree in the 91st minute.
What comes next?
Whether Boro truly have solved the low-block problem will will only know after a few more of these tests are passed. But it’s an encouraging start. McGree was one of four substitutes to come on after Boro’s equaliser to help them chase the winner. Hellberg so often turned to his bench last term and saw little looking back that he had confidence in to change a game. Injuries didn’t help, and it’s why improving the depth was important this summer.
Depth crucial
After such strong summer transfer work, and now an improving injury list too, Hellberg had that in abundance for the Lincoln game. McGree joined the action along with summer signings Myles Peart-Harris and Max Arftsen. Peart-Harris, of the two, particularly looked bright. Jeremy Sarmiento, who’s had a positive summer after joining the club permanently from Brighton after his loan, replaced Kyle Joseph a little later.
Sontje Hansen’s future is uncertain, but they have Aidan Morris, Tommy Conway, David Strelec, and now Phillips to add to their squad eventually. They also still want to sign a winger and a midfielder. If they manage to get both then Hellberg will be in an enviable position with such a well-stocked and well-balanced squad.
What the manager said
“We’re getting there,” Hellberg assessed after. “The quality coming on from the bench was very good for us. And this season we’ll need that. This is a massive difference. “We’ve invested a lot in a lot of young players. I’ve invested a lot in Neto [Borges] too, who went on loan and came back as a much better player. I think he's been very, very good. “Alpha [Kante] has been at a different level when he’s come back from his loan. In training and playing he’s been doing it very, very good, so that's been also the difference.
