Middlesbrough triumphed 2-0 at Portman Road against Ipswich on Tuesday night to go back up into the automatic promotion places.
Goals from Mohamed Besic and Stewart Downing seperated the two sides, and made sure Middlesbrough went home with all three points.
Besic joined on a season-long loan deal from Everton, after a permanent deal fell through on deadline day. The Bosnian international has been in and out the team since signing, but made a huge impression last night against the Tractor Boys.
His goal in the 11th minute was his first since rejoining Boro, and his second over the two spells he’s had at the club in the past year.
Tony Pulis spoke about Besic’s impact in an interview with Teesside Live, and has addressed his up and down performances since arriving in the summer.
“I just think he’s missed a pre-season” he said. “He’s not done a pre-season with Everton with all the stuff that was going on there. He joined us late then had two international games.”
Pulis was referencing the Toffees’ change of management with Sam Allardyce having been replaced by former-Watford boss Marco Silva in recent months. Silva instantly shuffled around his squad, and meant Besic was allowed to leave Merseyside.
Pulis continued: “He came back absolutely shattered [from international duty] and hasn’t had the opportunity to really get himself up to a level that he was last year. Hopefully now he’ll get that opportunity and give us that bit more quality in midfield.”
He did just that on Tuesday, and will be hoping he can now get a consistent run in the team with plenty of fixtures around the Christmas period coming up.
