New Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis has said that he’s not Jesus after watching his new charges turn over Bolton Wanderers yesterday.
Pulis, while confirmed manager, was an observer only yesterday as Boro made it back-to-back wins courtesy of goals by Martin Braithwaite (assist by Jonny Howson) and Britt Assombalonga (assist by Martin Braithwaite).
Those two goals and second consecutive victory lifted the Teesside outfit to seventh in the Sky Bet Championship table, only one win and a slip up by Sheffield United outside of the play-off places.
However, despite the mini-upturn in fortunes and climb towards the playoffs, new man in charge Pulis warns against creating a false sense of hope.
Tony Pulis – first Middlesbrough press conference
Pulis, in words carried widely by media sources such as the Guardian Sport and the Daily Star said, “I am not going to turn water into wine. I need to have a good look at the place before making any of those predictions.”
Whilst not willing to create those kind of miracles that Jesus did with water and wine, Pulis did manage a mini-Lazarus miracle after an impromptu team-talk at half-time against Bolton.
The Star said that he “did the trick” going into the dressing room at half-time and delivering his speech to the players – both Boro goals coming in the second period. On this, Pulis did say, “What I will say is that I saw at times some very good play from us and I liked the attitude in the dressing room at half-time.”
However, Pulis was forthright enough to admit that there were obstacles to overcome, and that expectations should wait until these hurdles were addressed. Urging a sense of caution, the former West Brom boss said, “There are problems and there have been problems. Getting the team winning and back in the Premier League, that takes time.”
Boro’s next game is at The Riverside on December 30 when they take on Aston Villa, a side sitting just below them in eighth place in the table – both sides on 38 points.
