Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock explains Aynsley Pears recall and his Reading team selection

Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock praised Aynsley Pears’ communication qualities after the goalkeeper was recalled to the starting XI at Reading.
Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock made four changes to his side at Reading.Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock made four changes to his side at Reading.
Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock made four changes to his side at Reading.

Boro came from behind to claim a huge 2-1 win at the Madejski Stadium and move five points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

Goals from Ashley Fletcher and Patrick Roberts secured the points for the Teessiders after Warnock made four changes from Saturday’s defeat by Bristol City.

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One of those alterations came in goal as Pears made his first start under Warnock, replacing Dejan Stojanovic.

When asked about the decision, Warnock said: “He’s done well Pearsy and I just thought I’d like to see him.

“I didn’t think he was over physical in there, and he talks very, very well. I thought tonight in this stadium it might need a big talker.

“I don’t think Dejan has done bad at all, I just wanted to have a look really.”

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Boro striker Britt Assombalonga also dropped to the bench for the first time under Warnock, while Paddy McNair was also named as a substitute.

Anfernee Dijksteel, Marcus Tavernier and Roberts were all recalled to the starting XI as Boro changed formation to play with a back four.

All three more than justified their selections and played a big part in the win.

“Britt was absolutely shattered so I had to take him out of the firing line," said Warnock when asked about his team selection. “It was a toss up who was going to start and Fletch took his goal really well.

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“I wanted Jonny Howson in midfield and I wanted to give Djed a bit more of an attacking role where he could help Dijksteel. Dijksteel has done all right in training but I haven’t seen him play.

“I wanted to put Djed in front of him to help him out and I thought Djed could get some crosses in and get behind the full-back. It was the same with Tav, I thought Tav has been really sharp.

“When we looked at Reading I thought they would be more unsettled with Robbo behind the striker than out wide, I thought Robbi was a nuisance all night.”