Scott McDonald
Tony Mowbray has challenged Scott McDonald and Kris Boyd to rediscover their SPL form.
Middlesbrough face a tough battle against the drop with their highly paid strikers only contributing nine Championship goals this season.
Mowbray’s lack of man management skills was cruelly exposed as Celtic boss but the ‘Boro hero doesn’t seem to have learned any lessons.
McDonald and Boyd grew thick skins as they became accustomed to criticism during their time in Glasgow but public criticism from a manager is a different matter.
“We need the Scottish (as in SPL) boys to do what they were doing on a regular basis and that’s hit the back of the net,” Mowbray explained
“I saw them doing just that in Scotland for a year, but it’s a totally different league.
“In this league, the bottom can beat the top very easily. In Scotland, two teams dominate.
“The Scottish players here are now playing against teams who are more physically ready and experienced and competitive.
“Every player takes a little bit of time to get acclimatised to the different demands.
“They’re used to the frantic nature of the SPL but maybe not the physicality of the Championship, with much stronger, faster players.
“But if you talk to Scott (McDonald) and Kris (Boyd), they’ve still got total confidence that they can score goals.
“Their challenge is to step up to the mark and do what they’ve done throughout their careers.”
Since taking over from Gordon Strachan ‘Boro’s results have barely changed with just three wins from nine matches leaving them deep in the relegation battle.
Mowbray has virtually no budget for the January transfer window with McDonald and Boyd two of his most sell-able assets as well as highest earners.
With their home match against Nottingham Forest postponed Mowbray must switch his attention to Wednesday’s relegation battle at Preston.
Middlesbrough have scored less than a goal a game with Mowbray believing that it’s his strikers that can turn things around.
He added: “We’ve got to have a bit of magic- imagination and creativity wins tight games.
“With strikers, when the ball bounces in the box, whether you’re playing Sunday League or the World Cup Final, if you’ve got the technique, it’s still the same goal dimensions.
“You’ve got to take your chances when they come along. We haven’t been as clinical as we should have been.”
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