First twenty minutes was terrible

HELLBERG WAS NOT HAPPY BUT CHANGES TURNED BORO FORTUNES AROUND FOR WIN

- By CRAIG JOHNS Football writer

KIM Hellberg was delighted with Middlesbrough’s turnaround victory at Stoke City - but pulled no punches when it came to his side’s ‘terrible’ first half.

Boro went in at the break 1-0 down at Stoke after the worst 45-minute performance under the Swede. Tomas Rigo had put the hosts ahead, with his save-able effort beating Sol Brynn.

But with the Boro boss making two personnel and tactical changes for the second half, Boro were much-improved and turned the game around thanks to goals from Alan Browne and Tommy Conway.

"I'm delighted, especially with the result," Hellberg said.

"I think that's the most important thing. The first 20 minutes were not good enough. They were the worst.