Surprising Neil Warnock call, key Middlesbrough man shows his importance plus set-piece improvements: Verdict after Wycombe win

For a moment it felt like fans were back inside the stadium at Adams Park.

When Wycombe’s Uche Ikpeazu cut inside of Paddy McNair in Middlesbrough’s penalty area and curled an excellent effort into the top corner of Marcus Bettinelli’s net, the hosts’ bench leapt to their feet.

Wycombe’s staff and substitutes were sat directly to the right of the press box and could be heard shouting instructions and words of encouragement throughout the afternoon.

They may have been bottom of the league table, but Gareth Ainsworth’s side were up for this Championship fixture and gave everything they had.

When Ikpeazu opened the scoring with just three minutes on the clock, the imposing striker immediately ran over to Ainsworth before hi-fiving his manager.

Boro boss Neil Warnock had warned his players they would be up for a tough afternoon against a hard-working and physical side. It had suddenly become a whole lot tougher.

After taking the lead, Wycombe looked organised at the back and continued to pose a threat when they decided to press Boro’s defenders in the final third.

Eventually, though, the visitors’ attacking qualities shone through, with Warnock’s men coming from behind to claim a 3-1 win and move up to seventh in the Championship.

After the game, the Boro boss was quick to praise his side’s front four, Marcus Browne, Marcus Tavernier, Chuba Akpom, who all got on the scoresheet, and Marvin Johnson, who was a constant threat.

"I thought the front four won us the game today,” said Warnock.

After struggling for goals at the start of the campaign, Boro have now scored 12 times in their last five games and have more league goals then promotion rivals Swansea, Watford and Stoke.

Browne makes an immediate impact

After falling behind against a pumped-up Wycombe team, the next goal was always going to be crucial.

Boro went 2-0 down at Sheffield Wednesday last time out and weren’t able to recover despite mounting some second-half pressure.

But here the Teessiders managed to draw level, and in a way which few would have expected.

Browne’s inclusion in the starting XI was slightly surprising, given the 23-year-old hadn’t previously started a league game under Warnock and recently recovered from a hamstring injury.

But after a quiet start, when Boro were a little sloppy in possession, Browne grew into the game, dropping deep to receive the ball in the No 10 position and running at Wycombe’s backline.

Yet his equaliser on the 30-minute mark came in an unlikely manner, as Paddy McNair’s corner was headed home by Browne.

Warnock has repeatedly said Boro don’t score enough goals from set-pieces, especially when McNair’s deliveries are so inviting.

"It’s taken for me to bring somebody in to get a goal from a corner kick, and one of the smallest lads on the field,” said Warnock.

The Boro boss also suggested Browne’s attitude wasn’t always as good as it could have been, after joining the Teessiders from West Ham in the summer of 2019.

But despite the player’s injury, Warnock has been impressed with the player in recent months and, with Boro still looking to strengthen in the transfer market, Browne could be like a new signing in the second half of the campaign.

Tavernier shows importance on return

Browne was one of three changes following the 2-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, with Akpom and Tavernier also coming into the side.

All three ended up on the scoresheet to justify their selections and with the likes of Duncan Watmore and Britt Assombalonga on the bench, Boro have competition for places.

Tavernier in particular stood out, with the midfielder's energy and attacking drive making a difference. After starting 19 of Boro’s 22 league games so far this season, it’s easy to forget that Tavernier still only 21.

Starting on the right, the midfielder was keen to get on the ball at every opportunity, repeatedly finding space as the Wycombe players tired and left more gaps in the final third.

Tavernier’s goal, which put Boro ahead on 36 minutes, was a moment of real quality after he cut inside of defender Joe Jacobson on the right and fired a low left-foot shot past goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.

Warnock revealed earlier in the season he'd encouraged Tavernier to take less touches and take more shots in the final third.

That message has clearly hit home, as Tavernier registered four efforts at goal, more than any other player, and was unfortunate not to score again when his second-half effort cannoned off the underside of the bar.

Boro stand up to physical test

In two of Boro’s most recent defeats, at Stoke and Preston, Warnock admitted his side struggled to deal with the physical challenge.

Despite their league position, Wycombe posed a similar threat, with Ikpeazu leading the line.

The 6 ft 3 forward regularly dropped deep to compete for headers and hold the ball up, with Boro midfielder Sam Morsy often tasked with trying to stop him.

After appearing to tire at the end of the first half, the hosts found a new lease of life after the interval, and came close to equalising from a couple of corners and crosses which were sent into the heart of Boro’s box.

Yet Warnock’s side withstood the pressure. showing resilience after missing a few chances failing to put the game to bed.

The result was put beyond doubt ten minutes from time, though, when Akpom capitalised on another McNair corner, which was parried into the striker’s path.

Wycombe may have only won three league games all season but they’re certainly no pushovers.

This was only the second time the Chairboys had conceded three league goals or more in a game this season. A sign that Boro’s attack is starting to fire.

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