'Maybe fans will start to appreciate him': Absence of key Middlesbrough man highlighted after Rotherham United defeat and Yannick Bolasie news

Goals from Matt Crooks, Michael Smith and substitute Ryan Giles gave the visitors all three points on a disappointing evening for Neil Warnock’s side.

The Boro boss was surprisingly upbeat during his post-match press conference, saying the club expect to sign Everton winger Yannick Bolasie in the next 24 hours.

New signings are clearly needed at the Riverside and it was clear the Teessiders missed the likes of Marcus Tavernier, Dael Fry and Anfernee Dijksteel who were all missing through injury against Rotherham.

Here’s how some supporters reacted to the result.

@LewisThompson7: Maybe fans will start to appreciate Marcus Tavernier a bit more. We really did miss his energy and pace in the middle of the pitch, very pedestrian with them 3 in there

@Jon14183558: We need bodies - that was clear last night

@MisterInspecto1: Missed Dale, Tav and Dijksteel massively tonight

@Smithy_MFC84: That defence tonight looked so disorganised. With the exception of McNair, it’s a very young back line. They’ve come up against a wily, strong and surprisingly inventive Rotherham attack and been outthought and outfought. Fry and Dijksteel are huge losses, and it showed.

@markhebs: Lack of strength in depth, showing now. We badly missed Tav, Fry and Dijksteel! Need to remember how far we have come from this time last season.

@DannyTaylorDT: We need Fry, Tav and Dijksteel back to full fitness ASAP, we aren’t the same team without them. Can’t complain with that result

@SuperSquand: Gutted. Three or four players short. Dijksteel, Fry and Tav all look BIG losses. Betts doesn’t look confident, very poor tonight for all three goals. Was Pears that poor?! It’s not dropping up front. Should have scored two or three ourselves. Bolasie will be nowhere near match fit.

@Smogg74: What annoys me mostly is that we should have played that Boxing Day as scheduled. We were playing well and the result would have been totally different...Bolasie could be the lift we desperately need at the moment…

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