7 Travers: Boro’s best player. Made a string of good saves and was let down by his defence for both goals.
6 Dijksteel: Solid enough defensively for the most part. Tried to get forward when possible.
7 Howson: The better of the two central defenders, as has been the case for a few games. If Carrick is to change his centre-half partnership it should be van den Berg who is left out.
4 Van den Berg: Another shaky performance from van den Berg, who has been way short of his best in recent weeks. Made a mess of cross for the goal. His form is a concern.
5 Iling-Junior: Struggled with Windass at times and couldn’t make an impact going forward.
6 Hackney: Assist for the opener and won the penalty. Lost control in the second half.
6 Morris: Made a couple of crucial second half interceptions and tried to drive forward.
6 Forss: Went close late in the first half when his low shot was well kept out by Charles.
5 Whittaker: Played his part in the goal and some tidy touches but Boro need more from their January recruit.
6 Azaz: Scored the opening goal, travelled well with the ball in the first half but went missing after the break.
4 Conway: Missed penalty proved costly and then missed a sitter deep in stoppage time. Afternoon to forget for the striker.
SUBSTITUTES:
5 Burgzorg (for Forss, 67): Missed good chance deep in stoppage time.
Fry (for Whittaker, 77): N/A
Iheanacho (for Howson, 90): N/A
SUBS NOT USED: Glover, Barlaser, Edmundson, Lenihan, Giles, McCabe
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: P. Charles 8, Valery 7, Otegbayo 6 (Palmer, 86), Johnson 7, S. Charles 7, Ingelsson 6 (Armstrong, 65), Bannan 7 (Chalobah 93), Gassama 5 (Musaba, 46), Windass 7, Paterson 6, Smith 6
SUBS NOT USED: Beadle, Hatsuse, J. Lowe, Kobacki, McNeill
MAN OF THE MATCH: Charles. The home keeper made decisive penalty stop and also kept out Forss in first half stoppage time
