What the Opposition said

By Paul Fraser of the Northern Echo www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk

TWO games, two defeats. A managerial record for Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren that he will not be wanting.

The former Manchester United assistant manager is quickly learning what being in charge of a Premiership club means.

Bolton Wanderers overcame Boro 1-0 last night and became the second team in four days to defeat Boro. A well-placed Michael Ricketts goal five minutes before half-time was enough to see Bolton's start to the new season read: two wins in two.

But this could easily have been more had the Premiership new-boys taken their chances.

Boro rallied in the second half but without the firepower of injured Alen Boksic rarely troubled keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

And McClaren was the first to admit that there is room for improvement, he said: "We have to be more ruthless, and when you have a striker like Alen Boksic out then you are going to miss him.

"I think the pleasing thing was the way we played it around. After Saturday it was important that we retained possession and we did that."

And, despite not chalking up their first points,the Boro manager was encouraged by his players, he said: "I was delighted with Jon Greening's performance, but not only him I was encouraged by the full team's improvement."

Bolton started with a bang, as the home crowd's excitement was evident from the first whistle.

A stray Ugo Ehiogu pass allowed Bolton to break on ten minutes through Bo Hansen and Per Frandsen. That attack ended with Boro stopper Mark Schwarzer conceding a corner from Hansen's cross-shot. And the Trotters went close again shortly after Simon Charlton's long punt upfield fell straight into the path of Ricketts, but somehow England defender Gareth Southgate got back to make a superb challenge.

If McClaren had been annoyed by the way in which Boro crumbled against Arsenal, his annoyance may have grew a little more as Bolton's enthusiasm got the better of his side.

Greening was looking lively in a three-man midfield, but his opposite number Kevin Nolan was equally, if not more, starring alongside his other two middle-men. It was a mistake from Paul Ince in the 39th minute which led to the opening goal. Ince was dispossessed by midfielder Nolan, who played the ball inside to Ricketts. The striker, who grabbed a stunner in the win over Leicester, then played a one-two with Hansen before side-footing past Schwarzer.

Embarrassed Ince immediately went about making amends for his mistake and crossed from the bye-line to Deane. But the gangly front-man's header was expertly cleared by Gudni Bergsson.

Whatever McClaren said at half-time had an effect. First Greening attacked down the right and then Hamilton Ricard's trickery enabled him to produce a cross from the left. But still Boro had nothing to show from such pressure.

And despite the positive signs after the restart it was Bolton that should have extended their lead.

Dane Frandsen broke from midfield and fed the ball through to fellow countryman Hansen, who should have done better with only the keeper to beat, but his resulting shot went well wide.

Anger signs were creeping in again and when Ricketts was brought down by Ehiogu on the edge of the area, the Teessiders feared the worst for the centre-back sent off on Saturday against Arsenal. But the referee correctly pulled out the yellow card.

Boro were still making mistakes and McClaren will be aiming to ensure those are stamped out during the next few matches if his side are going to enjoy a better campaign.