Just What The Doctor Ordered!
BORO'S display against a rugged Barnsley side was the best medicine Gordon Strachan could have taken for the stinking cold he has been suffering from in recent days.
The manager - who was celebrating his 53rd birthday - was clearly still struggling but arguably the best performance of the season had lifted his sprits considerably.
"I've had a virus that I've struggled to shake off but I feel a lot better after that," he said. "They deserved that victory.
"They worked hard and I thought we created a lot of chances. We stood our ground when we needed to, the physical side as well as the mental side.
"That was good because they are a test, Barnsley. They sorted us out in the second half there but that wasn't going to happen here.
"There were lots of very good things, like the determination of Willo Flood, Gary O'Neil and Barry Robson. And he's raw, young Franksy, but he took us up the pitch."
Boro's first goal came after a corner was chipped to the near post and flicked on by the head of Jonathan Grounds, a routine that was employed again later in the game.
"It's been going on for years, we used to do it at Leeds," said Strachan, when asked if it was a new tactic. "I'm kind of old fashioned."
The scorer was New Zealand international Chris Killen, a reward at last for his non-stop endeavour since arriving from Celtic.
"He's worked very hard without scoring," said Strachan. "Chris has never played six games on the trot for about two-and-a-half years, since he did his cruciate ligament. The second goal was a terrific goal as well."
Boro looked on their way to a comprehensive victory as they went in two goals to the good at half-time but, just as at Oakwell at the end of December, Barnsley had other ideas. They came out fighting and pulled a goal back, although fortunately this time the revival went no further.
"A lot of work had been put in before that but that's what happens when you lose your concentration," said Strachan.
The final whistle was greeted by relief and delight in equal measure, with several players, including new boy Stephen McManus, giving clenched fist salutes to the crowd.
But Strachan was keeping his feet firmly on the ground, with the play-offs just a couple of league positions away.
"We're not saying we're on a great run," he said. "We have to keep working away."
