Neil Warnock comments on Aynsley Pears' performance and explains Sam Morsy's absence against Blackburn Rovers

Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock wished goalkeeper Aynsley Pears good luck after the goalkeeper’s fine performances for Blackburn on Tuesday night.
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Pears left Boro to join Rovers on transfer deadline day and made a couple of important saves as Boro were held to a goalless draw at Ewood Park.

The 22-year-old was named Blackburn’s man of the match, but Warnock doesn’t regret letting the stopper leave Teesside.

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“Good luck to him, he’s a lovely lad,” said Warnock when asked about Pears. “He got on my nerves a little bit at times but he’s got away now and got his chance with an injury to their first-team keeper.

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock.Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock.
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock.

“He made one great save over the top didn’t he, so good luck to him.

“I’m not disappointed about that, I hope the goalkeepers we play against every week get man of the match.”

The result extended Boro’s unbeaten run to nine games, yet the Teessiders created the better chances and will be disappointed not to take all three points

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“We didn’t get anything fall for us and we missed a couple of great chances,” added Warnock. “I thought if we got that first goal we could have got two or three.

“All credit to them, they threw tackles in, wanted to get that point and managed to get away with it.

“Whilst I’m disappointed they are a young side and the confidence is growing, they are doing things they didn’t realise they could do.

“I thought we looked like a good side tonight but we just didn’t get the break to get that goal.”

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Warnock made two changes to his starting following Saturday’s 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Riverside, with Sam Morsy dropping out of the matchday squad.

The midfielder was substituted in the first half at the weekend, and Warnock has now revealed the 29-year-old had a problem with his hamstring.

“He nicked his hamstring, I didn’t tell you that on Saturday,” Warnock replied when asked about Morsy. “I told you it was tactical. Slip of the tongue.”

It’s unclear if Morsy will be available for Saturday’s trip to Brentford.

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