Blues blew their chance in the face of Boro’s siege mentality

MIDDLESBROUGH inflicted another away defeat on Birmingham City on Saturday.

- By ALEX DICKEN

Dael Fry and Hayden Hackney cancelled out Demarai Gray's third goal of the season to ensure Blues go into a two-week break with a defeat after back-to-back 4-0 home wins. Blues sit 11th in the Championship at the third international break of the season with 21 points from their opening 15 matches.

Here are our talking points from Blues’ defeat to Boro...

Blues walked into a tidal wave

Members of the media spent the hours leading up to kickoff debating whether it was a good time to play Boro.

It was only confirmed two hours before kickoff that Rob Edwards would not be in the dugout as he prepares to take over as Wolves manager. That meant Boro's preparation was less than ideal.

But you could sense a siege mentality rippling around the Riverside before kickoff. Their supporters and players were fuelled by Edwards’ impending departure rather than deflated by it.