Thursday, January 8, 2015

Aitor Karanka: 'Boro have transformed beyond all recognition since Reading defeat'


Aitor Karanka believes Boro have transformed beyond all recognition since their drab 1-0 loss to Reading in August.


The Spaniard watched his labouring side slump to back-to-back Riverside defeats five months ago after Simon Cox grabbed the Royals’ winner.


After the match Karanka accused his side of “lacking spirit and character”, and his team duly responded by losing only one of their next 17 matches.


A return to Championship action awaits Boro at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow, with Karanka admitting his team are now a completely different prospect.


“We are a much different team now. After that (Reading) game I said we’d lost our consistency,” Karanka said.


“Maybe we didn’t lose our identity, but we made a lot of mistakes. Now we are a completely different team.


“We have had all week to work and I’m confident about the game.


“We’ve shown everyone we’re a compact team and a consistent team. It is difficult to score goals past us and we have a lot of quality up front.”


But Boro face a defensive injury crisis for their trip to Berkshire with Ryan Fredericks ruled out due to his niggling thigh injury.


Rhys Williams begins his long road back to fitness after rupturing his Achilles’ tendon at Barnsley last weekend, while Damia Abella (cruciate) remains on the sidelines and Emilio Nsue is away on international duty.


That means Dean Whitehead could once again deputise at right-back, and loan signing Tomas Kalas could feature if required paperwork is completed in time.


But despite his limited options, Karanka will have no hesitation asking Whitehead to play in defence again, if needed.


“Deano is the kind of player who you can always expect his best”, Karanka said.


“If you put him as a goalkeeper you can expect 100% from him. He gives everything on the pitch and he’s a very important member of the squad.”


Adam Clayton is suspended for tomorrow’s match, meaning Milos Veljkovic could start alongside captain Grant Leadbitter in midfield.


This morning brought confirmation that Karanka has missed out on the Championship Manager of the Month gong, losing out to Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe for the second time this season.



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