Karanka praises Boro after ‘really important’ draw

Matt Stead
Aitor Karanka: Happy after disciplined showing

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka admitted he was ‘really pleased’ after his side ground out a draw against West Brom.

Neither side created any real opportunities in what was a dour 0-0 stalemate, but Karanka praised his side for their organisation.

“I think it is a really important point,” Karanka said.

“After Wednesday, playing 120 minutes [against Fulham in the EFL Cup] and losing the game, it was really difficult. And to play here at West Brom is always tough.

“For that reason, I am really pleased and proud, especially of the spirit of the team in the second half.”

Karanka believes that his team will continue to learn and develop as the Premier League minutes rack up for his squad.

“In this league, you know the quality of the players and the pressure of the crowd,” he said.

“We are disciplined, but is impossible always to play in the way you like to play. But we’ve learned that we can’t play below 100 percent.

“This team is in the Premier League because we have been fighting a lot for the last two-and-a-half years.

“If we keep up this spirit we will win games.”

Middlesbrough were missing six senior players through injury, and Karanka is pleased to be heading into the international break with a healthy points return.

“We have time to recover the players who are injured,” he said.

“To have five points on the table, I am really pleased.”