Safety first...
Nicholas looks on as Boro clinch safety
Last updated: 3rd May 2008
Nicholas: watched Boro win
The only bad news for Middlesbrough is that Gordon McQueen is going to be joining them on a scouting capacity!
Charlie Nicholas
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Middlesbrough 2-0 Portsmouth
Soccer Saturday analysis
Charlie Nicholas was impressed as Middlesbrough banished their lingering relegation fears by beating Portsmouth.
Chris Riggott and the impressive Tuncay Sanli scored the goals that ensured Gareth Southgate's side will be playing Premier League football next season and Nicholas felt the win was comfortable after a twitchy start.
Boro's best performances this season have come against the teams near the top of the table and Nicholas says Southgate must now find a way to motivate his players week in, week out.
"It was a routine win for Middlesbrough in the end, but they were very nervy at the start," he told Soccer Saturday.
"They had a little bit of work to do and they probably would have been content with a point today.
"Boro started quite nervy and Portsmouth had a nice little pass-and-move set-up, although Jermain Defoe didn't get much service.
"Gradually Middlesbrough threatened and they got a surprise goal with a good header from Riggott, although it was poor marking from Portsmouth. I'm sure Tony Adams will be looking at that ahead of the FA Cup Final.
"Overall in the second half it was a fairly content performance from Middlesbrough. Tuncay was outstanding again, probably man of the match, while Stewart Downing was influential and they were solid at the back.
"Overall it was a pretty decent performance without being glamorous.
"It's safety and I think Gareth Southgate has handled the problems that they faced very well.
"They've played well enough in recent weeks without getting the breaks or the results and they've got to change this habit of only lifting their game against the big sides.
"He's got to find a way to raise them against the less attractive sides."
Scout
Nicholas also identified the areas where Boro need to improve next season and he feels their new scout, who is a Soccer Saturday favourite, will have plenty of work to do over the summer.
"The only bad news for Middlesbrough is that Gordon McQueen is going to be joining them on a scouting capacity," Nicholas joked.
"People like him shouldn't be looking at this season and asking where the problems are - because we all know the problem is a lack of goals.
"They probably need to add four or five players - they need to find a goalkeeper because Mark Schwarzer is on his way and he probably needs a couple of decent midfielders.
"But I'm sure the chairman won't be found wanting, He'll find the cash for them."
But while Boro have several signings to make, he advised Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp about making Milan Baros' loan deal permanent.
"I know Milan Baros is on loan, but I don't see Portsmouth signing him," he added.
"He runs all day and he gives you every ounce of effort, but the quality's lacking, which is strange because he's got quite an attractive CV.
"He doesn't look as if he's got many goals in him."
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