ONLY time will tell whether this was a Championship farewell with a flourish for Morgan Rogers. Michael Carrick confidently insisted afterwards that his wanted forward would be involved at Chelsea on Tuesday night but Boro’s next league game isn’t until February 4 when Sunderland head for the Riverside.
Aston Villa are at Sheffield United that weekend. Which game will Rogers be involved in?
With one sublime backheel that finally – after almost 180 minutes of trying this season – broke the Rotherham resistance, Rogers offered a glimpse of why Unai Emery wants him this month and why Boro won’t make things easy for Villa. At full-time Rogers was the last Boro player to leave the pitch and applauded all four stands – in particular the South and Red Faction. It’s natural to look into these things when transfer drama is playing out in the background but Rogers, it should be said, is a player who always makes a point of showing the supporters his appreciation.
The fans in attendance appreciated his moment of magic that ensured Boro at least picked up something against Rotherham when they looked set for a staggeringly frustrating repeat of the Boxing Day defeat. Boro have had 35 shots against the Millers this season and scored one goal; Leam Richardson’s side have only had three shots on target in return and scored twice. No wonder Carrick said Saturday’s 1-1 draw “stung”.
That can also be said of the manner in which Isaiah Jones picked up the injury that Boro could really have done without ahead of Chelsea. A needless off the ball shove from Jordan Hugill had Jones scampering to stay on his feet before he pulled up clutching his hamstring. It’s now a waiting game on that front.
And that’s also the case with Rogers amid Villa’s ongoing interest. But while there’s uncertainty with one forward, there appears a growing guarantee with another – fitness permitting, Marcus Forss looks set to play a major role in the second half of the season.
After his long lay-off has come two goals in two appearances from the bench. Such clinical finishing is why there’s been so much talk this week of Forss being the answer to Boro’s striker issue. Regardless of whether he’s leading the line or playing off the right, Forss contributes and scores.
“I’m at home here,” said the 24-year-old, who latched on to Rogers’ backheel through ball and lashed home in the 82nd minute, cancelling out Cafu’s opener just before the hour mark.
“I play wherever the gaffer puts me. He knows the best for the team.
“Finishing is one of my strengths. He (Carrick) knows that. But I can affect from the right as well by coming from different positions, so I can see where he’s coming from.
“It was a very frustrating game, they wanted to stop and start and I thought we were really good in the first half but in the second it was their kind of game. To bounce back from their goal was good and we had chances to win the game.”
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