'Have to start': Middlesbrough fans praise key men after Coventry City win as Neil Warnock’s side prepare for Swansea test

Neil Warnock’s side had to come from behind after an Anfernee Dijksteel own goal but claimed a crucial three points following Grant Hall’s header and a late George Saville winner.

The result moved Boro to within three points of the Championship play-off places, although that gap could widen depending on Wednesday’s results.

Warnock made four substitutions in the second half, with Yannick Bolasie, Duncan Watmore, Marvin Johnson and Saville all making a difference off the bench.

Here are some of the responses from social media:

@loldixon: The performance wasn’t pretty but the result was needed and I’m pleased we found a way to win. Points are in the bag before our next tough test…

@JasonHolliday_: Some win. Lads dug deep, literally looking at the pitch

@dazzabesst: Got away with that one.. think we have to start with Bolasie and Watmore as the two up top, with Johnson out wide. Three points is three points though

@kabirdavee: Brilliant resolve there, absolutely massive win! Howson was brilliant for the goal, Johnson and Bolasie good off the bench. Spence and Kebano had good games and the defence coped well bar the goal

@tom_mcgarry17: An ugly win but we’ll take that all day long, job done and onto Saturday

@BurkeyfromBoro: Not a classic but another important win. Onwards & upwards to Swansea ... UTB

@JezBathNBeyond: Lovely stuff to see another win on the board. Tough game but impressed with the willpower to snatch the win in the end. We defo looked like we deserved something and a massive shout to Saville for showing up off the bench and Hall for a naughty set-piece goal.

@jacobdougla5: Great result but we are desperately missing Morsy in that midfield. We seem to have little desire to win second balls when he’s not playing

@InGibboWeTrust: We actually showed a bit of bite in the second half which was good to see, still mid table at best.

@jordanw66544248: Just me that thinks Bolasie completely changed the game?

@_neilorangepeel: By the skin of our teeth. Could have lost. Won. I’ll take it.

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