, Five things we learned from Sunderland v Middlesbrough

Five things we learned from Sunderland v Middlesbrough

2. Defensive frailties

Mix-ups in defence were commonplace at the start of the season under Garry Monk. After Karanka’s Boro squad was built on a good defence, it was unthinkable to see the same defenders making so many mistakes.

Again on Saturday it was Ayala and Friend who were culpable for a couple of Sunderland goals. Bad marking from Ryan Shotton also led to Calum McManaman’s equaliser deep into stoppage time, having failed to track the run of the Scotsman.

Middlesbrough eradicated these mistakes when Pulis came to the club. Defensive solidity being a huge part of his game plan, Pulis soon saw his side making less mistakes, and being more consistent. But these frailties are still there, and they can’t be conceding three goals to the league’s bottom club if they want to push for promotion.

3. Penalty duties back to the skipper

In Middlesbrough’s victory over Reading, Britt Assombalonga took it upon himself to take a spot-kick. The regular penalty taker Grant Leadbitter was on the pitch, but stepped back to allow the striker to step forward.

Assombalonga skied the penalty high over the bar, and his confidence would have only been dampened rather than uplifting following the miss.

When Assombalonga was brought down by goalkeeper Lee Camp, there was no doubt that Leadbitter would get the ball down and take the penalty this time around.

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