, “They have to really toughen up” says Pulis after Middlesbrough’s enthralling derby draw

“They have to really toughen up” says Pulis after Middlesbrough’s enthralling derby draw

Sunderland and Middlesbrough’s 3-3 draw left both managers scratching their heads. The entertaining encounter saw two red cards in the first-half, and a 96th minute equaliser from the home side.

Sunderland remain bottom of the table, and manager Chris Coleman believes that they can take something positive away from the game.

 

“We have to go for it and stay in our games. If we do that more often than not we will get points.

“It’s not easy but it’s very doable. There will be a time when we win and it will change the face of everything.

Coleman didn’t have too much to say about the red card incidents, claiming that both dismissals were the correct decisions. But states that he thought Jake Clarke-Salter’s red card impacted Sunderland more than Adama Traore’s red impacted the away side.

“I wouldn’t argue about either red card. We were hampered more by losing Jake than they were [losing Traore], even though they lose an exciting player. We lost shape.”

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis was less happy with his sides performance, as they failed to take a good opportunity to get into the top six after other results went in their favour.

“We conceded two goals from a long throw and a corner. That is disappointing.

“There’s really good things about this team I like, but other things they have to really toughen up to. Seeing games out is one of them.

Tony Pulis also claimed that an eye-poke by Sunderland left-back Bryan Oviedo provoked the reaction of Traore. It is expected that Middlesbrough will appeal the decision.

“Adama’s sending-off was a disappointment, Oviedo has walked round the back of him and poked him in the eye, Adama has raised his hands and shouldn’t have shoved him in the chest. Hopefully people will look at it and see it was a reaction to something that shouldn’t happen.”

Middlesbrough remain two points from the play-off positions, whereas Sunderland remain dead-bottom. Boro host another rival in Leeds United at the RIverside on Friday night, whereas Sunderland host Premier League chasing Aston Villa next Saturday.

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