Bernie Slaven: Boro goals will give Lee Tomlin and Jacob Butterfield a real boost

Bernie Slaven thinks Lee Tomlin and Jacob Butterfield desperately needed their goals because they both still have plenty to prove

I was delighted to see both Lee Tomlin and Jacob Butterfield score goals against Birmingham.

I think they both desperately needed them because they both still have plenty to prove.

Butterfield’s goal was a beauty, a pleasure to watch.

He took it well, turned nicely on and finished it superbly. It was a great goal and one that had everyone talking - until the Birmingham boy hit his rocket. My word, that was a cracker.

But I was happy for Butterfield because he has earned that goal.

He thought he had already got off the mark but a perfectly good goal was ruled out at Sheffield Wednesday.

Whenever he has come on he has worked hard, looked to be creative and has shown he has got some good touches and good distribution in his locker.

He looks a good player but has flitted in and out of the team and although he has played well he has not really stamped his authority on the team or taken control of games.

That goal will underline to Karanka what he can do.

Tomlin too. He needed to start to show some end product.

He came on loan initially then suddenly it was converted to a permanent move on relatively big money.

But he was suspended for the first three games and when he finally was available he never really happened.

He had a few cameos, a half here, an hour there, but the word was that he was struggling to get up to speed with the shape and tempo Boro played at.

And when he got on the pitch he showed plenty of energy but no end product.

I like the guy and I think he will turn out to be a great player for Boro.

He is strong and direct and he isn’t scared to drop his shoulder and run at defenders and try to make things happen.

But it must be said, it hasn’t really happened for him yet and 10 weeks is a long time for a forward who arrived with quite a bit of hype and a hefty price-tag to go without a goal.

At the weekend against Derby he played some neat touches and linked up well but when he was through himself he missed a glorious chance.

Maybe he was trying too hard. Certainly it looked like the frustration was getting to him.

When he was subbed against Derby he was angry. He stormed down the tunnel and chucked a water bottle because he was furious.

I don’t mind that. I like to see that bit of passion. I’d rather that than he goes off laughing and reaches for his phone.

I’m glad to see that Karanka has not held that against him and has channelled that into getting a performance and a goal.

I hope that opens the floodgates for him and we see far more of that direct running and attempts on goal. And Butterfield too.

If they can add goals it gives them more chance of nailing down a place, Karanka more options and Boro more goal threat.