Middlesbrough 3 Reading 1
Sep 20 2010 The Journal
GORDON Strachan insists things are looking up after a record-breaking Barry Robson goal helped the Riverside revival step up a gear.
Midfielder Robson burst forward to drill home the opener after just 24 seconds – the fastest ever goal at the stadium – to put Boro on the way to an emphatic 3-1 win over Reading which put a spring in Strachan’s step.
Leroy Lita added the second against his old club, then Jimmy Kebe pulled one back for Reading before the break before local lad David Wheater sealed the win with a second-half header.
The well-deserved win completed a galvanising double for Boro Strachan believes is part of a steady improvement curve which is pointing onwards and upwards.
A week ago a brittle Boro slumped to a second-half collapse at QPR that left Strachan shell-shocked and faced mounting pressure from frustrated fans on Teesside after a sorry start to the season.
However, back-to-back wins on home turf in a watershed week have put the Championship campaign right back on track for the pre-season title favourites.
Strachan says the results are part of a pattern of steady match-by-match improvement for his new look side.
He said: “We have been involved in three good games in a week.
“We did well in a smashing first half at QPR, although we lost.
”We did a lot better in midweek in beating Burnley, and we did a lot better again against a very good Reading side.
“We created a lot of chances and played with a bit of energy and a positive vibe, were the better side and deserved to win.
“That is six points from two games now, so I have to be satisfied with that.
“It helps when you score the early goal like that, although it was not something we planned for. In fact it was a wee bit fortuitous.
“I don’t think the pass was really intended for Barry Robson, but he nipped in there and finished it well.
