Saturday 24 September 2016 18:27, UK
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka says his side are in for a long season if they continue to play like they did during the first half of their 2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham.
But Karanka was heartened by the second-half showing of his team, despite the fact they eventually slipped to their third defeat in a row.
Boro were poor in the first-half and high-flying Tottenham created a plethora of chances, Heung-Min Son converting two of them to give the Londoners a comfortable half-time lead.
But the hosts were far better in the second half, particularly after Adama Traore arrived from the bench on the hour, and Ben Gibson pulled one back with a header.
However, Boro could not find a second goal and Karanka was left to rue the slow start.
"The first half was really frustrating because we have been working very hard this week on the training ground," he said.
"We made mistakes last Saturday against Everton [a 3-1 defeat] and we tried as staff to show them every single thing.
"Then, when you arrive on the pitch and seven minutes later you are losing 1-0, it is difficult to understand.
"In the second-half, the attitude especially was really different .
"Which team do we want to be, the first half team or the second half team?
"If we are the first half team, we will have problems in the Premier League. If we are the second half team, we will win a few games.
"I have to analyse [the first-half display], it is difficult for me at the moment to say anything.
"The attitude was completely different in the second half and we had chances against a good Tottenham."
The impact of the pacy Traore was the biggest plus for Boro and Karanka hopes there is more to come from the Spaniard.
"He is a player I have known for almost 10 years and he has massive potential but he has to learn his job," said Karanka.
"I think today for him has been really important, to get confidence and to show everybody how good he is.
"I think he can be an important player for us."
