TONY Mowbray is unlikely to ever send a team out to play like Sam Allardyce’s West Ham United, but the Middlesbrough manager hopes to see them show the same ruthlessness.

If Mowbray is a disciple of the beautiful game, Allardyce is an apostle of a more pragmatic approach.

The contrasting styles will meet at the Riverside this evening and Boro’s boss is hoping the importance of the game, rather than the spectacle, lures supporters off the sofa.

The Teessiders are fourth in the table, their opponents second.

Mowbray said: “Any team which finishes above West Ham will go up this season.

“I have watched them a lot lately and they find a way to win.

“They did not get much of a kick against Brighton and won 1-0. West Ham could not get the ball and won.

“Against Coventry last week the goals were off the striker’s shoulder. You could say if you do not get in the box it is not going to go in, fair enough.

“If it goes in your box and you don’t get it out straight away, they score.

“It is hard to break them down, so we have to defend our box very well and when the chances come we have to stick it in the net and hope they go for it and move players forward. Then we can take advantage.