What we learned on an evening to forget for Boro

MIDDLESBROUGH'S preparations for the new season were dealt a sobering blow on Wednesday evening as they lost 2-0 at Bradford City.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

In a game that also saw them lose two players to injuries, their lack of squad depth was laid bare, while they lacked quality and penetration in the final third.

It was a stark reminder of just how much work is needed for Rob Edwards and his players to be ready for the new season in just over two weeks.

While Edwards will understandably take the positives and use it as a learning curve from which to offer a means of measuring progress and areas for improvement, it was hard to feel too optimistic while leaving Valley Parade.

THE GOALS

44 mins: Bradford 1-0, Sarcevic penalty - Darragh Lenihan is adjudged to have dragged down his man from a corner, resulting in a penalty being given. Antoni Sarcevic steps up and though Tom Glover got a hand to it, the power of the strike beats him.

90+5 mins: Bradford 2-0, Swan - Boro were caught on the break in the final moment and left open at the back, Swan was played through on goal before calmly finishing under the outrushing Sol Brynn.

BORO'S BEST PLAYER

It says a lot about this Boro performance that it was difficult to pick out any individual who really stood out. Hayden Hackney had a few bright touches and tried to get his side moving - playing some nice interchanging passing with the forward players with no reward.