Having fought back to earn a share of the spoils at Fulham on Sunday afternoon, Neil Warnock would have been optimistic that Middlesbrough would earn another positive result at Blackpool in the EFL Cup.
However, the North-East outfit were thoroughly outplayed by their hosts, handing a wake-up call to a group of players who are hoping to challenge for the playoffs.
While Warnock made a number of changes to the team which impressed at Craven Cottage, he acknowledged that he had been left bitterly disappointed with his side’s performance at Bloomfield Road.
With a home double-header in the league to come, Boro have the perfect opportunity to get back on track in front of their returning supporters at the Riverside Stadium.
Nevertheless, Boro currently have the look of a team who could struggle for goals this season, something which Warnock must change as soon as possible.
As far as Bristol City are concerned, they are also awaiting their first win after games with Blackpool and Forest Green Rovers.
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Three days after conceding a late goal at home to the Seasiders, Nigel Pearson witnessed his players do the same against League Two opponents in the EFL Cup.
Bristol City would go on to lose the tie in a penalty shootout, putting the Robins under pressure to deliver on their visit to a club who could emerge as rivals later in the season.
On the positive side, Saikou Janneh netted a double at The New Lawn, justifying Pearson’s decision to hand him an opportunity in the first team.
