EFL pundits deliver verdict on Bournemouth and Middlesbrough as Jonathan Woodgate's side close in on Barnsley and Reading

EFL pundit Clinton Morrison thinks Bournemouth will finish in the play-offs this season, following their 3-1 win over Middlesbrough.
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Jonathan Woodgate’s side moved six points clear of Boro and are just a point off the top six, with games in hand on Reading and Barnsley above them.

Cherries playmaker Arnaut Danjuma received praise after assisting Bournemouth’s opener for Philip Billing at the Vitality Stadium.

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Jefferson Lerma and Dominic Solanke were also on target for the hosts after Duncan Watmore had equalised for Boro.

Philip Billing of AFC Bournemouth celebrates with Dominic Solanke and team-mates after scoring his side's first goal against Middlesbrough.Philip Billing of AFC Bournemouth celebrates with Dominic Solanke and team-mates after scoring his side's first goal against Middlesbrough.
Philip Billing of AFC Bournemouth celebrates with Dominic Solanke and team-mates after scoring his side's first goal against Middlesbrough.

When assessing the game, Morrison said: “You would expect Bournemouth to make the play-offs for sure with the quality they’ve got.

“They need to win that game in hand. They weren’t in good form before but recently they have been in good form and having key players back, obviously Danjuma is an outstanding player, one of the best players in the Championship.

“I do fancy Bournemouth to get in there.”

The result left Boro boss Neil Warnock admitting his side’s play-off hopes are all but over with seven games to play.

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When assessing the Teessiders’ form, fellow pundit Ali Maxwell said: “I think the key thing on that table is the losses column when it comes to Boro.

“You’d expect a Neil Warnock side to be very hard to beat, maybe struggle to win games but actually that’s not what they’ve been this season.

“They have been easier to beat than those teams around them.”

“Clinton was right to point out Danjuma because when he’s on his game he’s brilliant and his assist in the first half was sensational.”

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Boro were without defender Dael Fry due to a calf injury, with Warnock later confirming the centre-back will be sidelined for two to three weeks.

When analysing Bournemouth’s third goal, which was converted by Solanke after Boro keeper Marcus Bettinelli had parried the striker’s first effort, Maxwell added: “It was really poor defending , poor reactions. You’d say the goalkeeper shouldn’t push it straight back in front of him.

“When Warnock talks so much about Dael Fry and the qualities that he has it makes me think when he’s missing that’s the result.”

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