Fly Me To The Moon column: Neil Warnock could be the mentor who finally unlocks Patrick Roberts' potential

What a difference a win makes. Especially when it is the first home league win of the year. The novelty of Boro scoring the first goal has been almost as long time coming. Thereby hangs a tale.

Yet, we did allow ourselves one typical Boro moment when Chuba Akpom's deflection was chalked off for offside. But barely had we had time to moan, here we go again, before Jonny Howson had pounced on the rebound from Tav's woodwork bound free kick. One nil. Half time. Dreamland.

It would have been rude not to have crowned Neil Warnock's 1500 game as boss with a win. So good that he was back in the dugout, or more accurately, on the prowl and scowl, in his technical area for the occasion. If there could not be fans there at least the manager was fit and working again for his landmark occasion.

Quite a career it has been for Warnock, starting out down the coast at the now defunct Scarborough in the late 80s, right through to the Riverside. Over that long innings, largely spent in the second flight, he has nurtured a succession of largely under-resourced clubs and motivated them to either survival against the odds, am thinking Rotherham and Boro last season, or into overachievers striving for promotion. Boro fans dream of Warnock going on to tick both boxes here by the Tees.

The manager readily admits to a real love for strikers and enjoying it when his teams create and score goals. In handing the captaincy to Britt Assombalonga he has certainly shown our centre forward the love.

Co-striker Chuba Akpom has rewarded Warnock's faith in making him as transfer target number one, by scoring in his first two games. Hero status could await the former Arsenal junior if he can keep posting the goals.

Financial realities are biting deep into ambitions both at Boro and throughout EFL. Warnock has lowered his sights, he seems ready to settle for some creativity, rather than a backup forward. A return of Patrick Roberts from Man City could be just what the doctor ordered, particularly if Warnock can get the tricky winger to lift up his head and be discerning with his final pass/shot. Roberts is a high calibre performer but not always able to plug into the team around and ahead of him. As with Tony Pulis and Adama Traore, Warnock could be the mentor that finally unlocks that potential and converts Roberts into a force to be reckoned with.

Like our first goal on Saturday that was scored minutes before half time, a win immediately before an international break is very good timing indeed. We now have a couple of weeks to sit back and take stock. It certainly beats brooding over yet another home defeat.

Up The Boro

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