West Brom 2, Middlesbrough 0: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict

Apr 19 2010 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

PROFESSIONALISM goes a long way.

As does class, honour and a duty to those who pay their way.

So it’s a pat on the back for Roberto Di Matteo and his side for not draping the towels over their sun loungers, for not having to recover from any hangovers and for not releasing their pressure on the throttle.

They were helped on Saturday by facing a Middlesbrough side who have gone backwards under the over-rated Gordon Strachan.

Perhaps it’s no surprise Boro are facing another season in the Championship.

The charmless Strachan is a man so devoid of class and so full of his own self-importance that he side-stepped accountability for his own team’s performance by trying to ridicule a female journalist with a somewhat chauvanistic twist to her questions. Pathetic.

The Middlesbrough boss’s witless sarcasm impressed nobody, so it’s little wonder his players look as if they’d rather have anyone but him as manager.

The former Coventry boss belongs to the stable of folks who believe you’re not entitled to an opinion unless you’ve kicked a ball in professional football.

It wasn’t just an Icelandic volcano going up in smoke on Saturday, try Boro’s promotion hopes.

Still, let’s not take away from Albion’s efforts.

It was a clinical and professional display. Had Albion finished off their chances then the few Boro fans who bothered watching their side might have witnessed another five-goal demolition job similar to the one at the Riverside.

Instead, Boro were lucky to lose 2-0.

Albion didn’t once look in danger of conceding to a team who had no purpose, no energy, no venom. Few clubs have folded as easily as the Boro side on Saturday.

Yet let’s not overlook Albion’s dominance.

The midfield worked harmoniously from start to end. Youssouf Mulumbu was back to the kind of form which made him such a vital influence during the opening months of the campaign.

Mulumbu’s form had waned in recent months but on Saturday he was outstanding.

Tenacious in the tackle, sensible with his distribution. His performance was a ‘drop-me-if-you-dare’ message to Roberto Di Matteo, who must still be wondering which of his squad are most dispensable next season.

Expect Mulumbu to play a key role next term.