Football League World
·24 October 2024
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·24 October 2024
The Liverpool loanee enjoyed his night on Wednesday
Middlesbrough winger Ben Doak has taken to social media to react to his side's 1-0 win over Sheffield United on Wednesday night.
The Liverpool loanee looks to have enjoyed his evening against the Blades, but is now already focusing on the next outing.
After 80 goalless minutes at The Riverside Stadium, the hosts scored the only goal of the game when Emmanuel Latte-Lath headed home from Finn Azaz's high ball into the area.
With that proving enough to secure a big three points for Michael Carrick's side, Doak was keen to both celebrate that success and stress the need for focus when reacting to that win.
Going into the game, there was some element of pressure on 'Boro, following a somewhat underwhelming recent run.
Carrick's men had lost their last two on the bounce, and were starting to come under pressure after slipping towards mid-table.
That felt like it was below expectations for a team many had been tipping to challenge for promotion to the Premier League at the start of the campaign.
As a result, victory over a Sheffield United side who were relegated from the top-flight last season meant this felt like a statement win for Middlesbrough at The Riverside Stadium.
Indeed, that is further enhanced by the fact that, prior to this, Chris Wilder's side had lost just once in ten league games at the start of the campaign.
Not surprisingly, therefore, Doak looked to be in buoyant mood as he took to his Instagram page after the game, simply saying: "BIG WIN. Next one now."
Following that win, Middlesbrough now sit eighth in the Championship table, just two points adrift of the play-off places.
Carrick's side are next in action on Sunday afternoon, when they make the trip to Carrow Road to face seventh place Norwich City, who are currently level with 'Boro on 17 points.
Since joining on a season-long loan from Liverpool in the summer, Doak has made seven appearances in all competitions for the Championship club, scoring once.
There can be no denying that this success over the Blades feels like a rather significant victory for Middlesbrough in the context of this season.
Things had been threatening to drift for Carrick's side after some of those recent results, which would have been disappointing given the pre-season optimism.
As a result, a win to break that rut and get back on track does feel as though it will be vital for the mood around the Riverside Stadium.
The fact it has come against a Sheffield United side who have made such a strong start to the season only adds to the importance of that result.
Indeed, some of a Middlesbrough persuasion may hope that can give them the confidence and momentum to really kick on with their season now.
With a trip to a Norwich side they are neck and neck with to come next, there is an opportunity for them to lay down another marker, and so Doak is right to call for some focus on that.
Middlesbrough ought to be relishing.