How Middlesbrough fans made a difference at the Riverside Stadium in Bournemouth draw: Joe Nicholson's verdict

There may have only been 1,000 fans at the Riverside during Middlesbrough’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Saturday, yet the difference was noticeable after months of playing behind closed doors.

Many, myself included, were skeptical when news broke on Wednesday that the EFL were using this fixture as part of their ‘return of fans’ pilot plan, especially when lockdown restrictions have been tightened in parts of the North East.

It remains to be seen what the next steps will be regarding supporters’ attendance at games, yet the positive comments following this sudden test event were encouraging.

The Boro fans played their part too. From clapping the team off after the warm-up, to the chants of ‘come on Boro!’ when the game began. They gave everyone a lift.

Even when the contest became a little scrappy in the second half, the support from the crowd helped spur Boro on, with substitute Marcus Browne equalising nine minutes from time.

This was another good performance from the Teessiders, who were unfortunate to come away with nothing following last week’s 1-0 defeat at Watford.

A set-piece proved Boro’s undoing at Vicarage Road and it was a similar story in the first half here, after Dominic Solanke pulled away from Marvin Johnson to put Bournemouth ahead from a corner

The hosts, whose manager Neil Warnock wasn’t on the touchline after testing positive for COVID-19, deserved more from the opening 45 minutes as they pinned Bournemouth back, pressed high up the pitch and rarely let up.

Yet there still appears to be something missing in the final third - a player who can unlock the opposition’s defence with a killer pass, or perhaps someone who can open up space with a darting run.

For all Boro’s good play, Bournemouth keeper Asmir Begovic hardly had a save to make before the interval.

The visitors looked like a potent attacking force during last week’s 3-2 win over Blackburn, yet it was the defences which came out on top for large spells here.

Both sides operated with a back three and wing-backs, a system which is becoming more popular in the Championship and gave both teams extra security.

When discussing Boro’s struggles in front of goal, first-team assistant Kevin Blackwell pointed out how aggressive Bournemouth’s back three, Steve Cook, Lloyd Kelly and Chris Mepham, had to be.

“It’s funny because Cooky has just walked off and said Blacky that was old school, that was tough,” revealed Blackwell after the game.

Boro’s defenders were also impressive, with Grant Hall looking solid and Anfernee Dijksteel producing another composed display in the right centre-back role.

Paddy McNair was the pick of the bunch, though, starting in a left centre-back role and moving further into midfield as the game progressed.

The Northern Ireland international was a driving force throughout and delivered a delightful cross for Browne to score in the closing stages.

Supporters rose in unison as the ball hit the net, and clapped along to Pigbag as the players gathered to celebrate.

These are the moments we have missed. Hopefully we will see them again soon.

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