Two Games, Two Defeats

Gareth Southgate decided to stick with the same side that lost the opening day fixture against Blackburn.

Mido who is expected to sign today was among the spectators in the directors’ box. Wigan looked comfortable through out the first half, Sibierski and Koumas kept Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer busy.

Boro had to wait 29 minutes to create their first half chance, Sanli Tuncay just missing with a left foot drive.

The deadlock was broke on 55 minutes, Valencia hammered in a fierce low shot from the edge of the box, which Mark Schwarzer could only parry and Sibierski fired home from close range.

Stuart Downing was again looking like the most likely to score for Boro, the winger cut in from the right and hit a 20 yard drive that beat Kirkland but hit the post and rebounded away safety.

Gareth Southgate from The official site
‘We didn’t do enough to win the game, that’s for sure.
‘We weren’t quite positive enough until we’d gone behind. We’ve got to pick ourselves up. Nobody’s going to help us out – it’s down to us.

‘We didn’t deserve anything and the players know that. We’ve got to go to Fulham and get something on Saturday.’