‘All about the emotion’ - Middlesbrough caretaker boss has say on win over Birmingham City

Middlesbrough’s caretaker boss Leo Percovich was ‘proud’ to lead the side to three points against Birmingham City last night.

Boro won 1-0 courtesy of striker Chuba Akpom’s first-half goal.

The Blues just edged possession at 54% but weren’t able to find an equaliser as they returned to the Midlands with nothing.

Percovich, who has been placed in interim charge following Chris Wilder’s sacking at the Riverside Stadium, is relieved to have picked up the three points and is expected to stay put for their weekend game against Millwall away.

‘Proud’...

He said after beating Birmingham, as per the Northern Echo:

“In football, you always say you will take a 1-0, but it can be really suffocating until the final blow of the whistle. But that is why we came here tonight – to get the three points and move up the table.

“In the second half, it was all about the emotion. A lot of things happened this week for the players, and it’s hard for them when you are playing with a heavy backpack, but you need to keep running and thinking under pressure.”

He added:

“The attitude and character were there, and the heart they showed today won’t change because that is what they have. We know they have too much talent to be where they were (in the league table) – they will be absolutely fine, I am sure.

“I have been proud to represent them. I know how they feel. They know that I will always be supporting them – every time we lost and it was painful, I have always been there for them. So tonight, they stood up for me and made me feel the most proud coach in the world.”

Birmingham return to the action on Saturday against Bristol City at home and will be in for a tough afternoon one of the top scoring sides in the league.

John Eustace’s side hadn’t lost for four games before yesterday’s defeat at Boro and will be hoping to recapture their form again now.

They are 19th in the table now and are three points above the drop zone.