Michael Carrick thinks exciting winger Ben Doak has shown how determined he is to develop at Middlesbrough after helping to secure a 2-0 win over Stoke at the Riverside.
Middlesbrough moved up to eighth in the Championship with the victory that started with Doak’s first goal for Boro.
The 18-year-old, making his first start since arriving on loan from Liverpool, pounced to convert from close range after goalkeeper Viktor Johansson had only palmed Riley McGree’s effort into his path.
That arrived 11 minutes before half-time and was followed by Hayden Hackney’s brilliant second with 17 minutes remaining.
The highly-rated midfielder’s run from deep at the Stoke defence was followed by him rounding former Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson and firing into the top right corner.
Boro boss Carrick said: “The all-round team performance I thought was really good, we controlled a lot of the game and also looked dangerous.
“I was most pleased with our work off the ball. They play a similar style to us, we were conscious of the dangers that brings. But I was pleased.
“There was a ruthlessness and aggression to our game, we had a lot of purpose and created a lot of space for Ben, playing from left to right and we stretched the pitch.
“He looked dangerous and might have got another goal or even two. He showed what he is about and is a real threat. He had an impact.
“He is young, but he has the character and personality, and he has come here keen to develop. I wasn’t surprised. I was pleased to see what he could do.”
Stoke, sat a point above the bottom three, are searching for a first win under new boss Narcis Pelach.
The travelling supporters were frustrated with the team at the final whistle and showed it with a section letting their feelings known.
Pelach, who took over from Steven Schumacher this month, knows it will be a challenge to turn things around but he has seen enough to think Stoke can.
He was, though, disappointed with the free-kick that was awarded to Middlesbrough when Lewis Koumas brought down Emmanuel Latte Lath and that led to Doak’s goal.
Stoke boss Pelach said: “There are positive things. I didn’t expect us to have 50-50 of the ball away at Middlesbrough. And we calmed the stadium down by having passes, but I am not happy with just this. We have to be more clinical in the boxes.
“We are building, changing things fast. The fans are right to say what they feel. They want to see us winning, fighting and scoring goals. I understand the frustrations and we have to focus on the things we can control.
“I’m disappointed with the result, as well as with the performance, and we have to be much more aggressive defensively and offensively. I can see the team is organised in one phase or another, but then it is about doing more things, having more crosses, more balls into the box.
“It was not a foul from Koumas, it was a bad decision. I don’t want to talk about referees each week, but big moments happen every week. It went the other way, and the players are complaining to the referee. I want them to be stronger mentally.”
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