Boro manager proud of ‘terrific’ Super Eagles prospect Akpom, teammates

Nigeria Super Eagles prospect Chuba Akpom and his teammates at Middlesbrough, Boro,  have received deserved praise from their manager, Michael Carrick.

Carrick was a proud coach after Akpom and his Boro teammates registered another vital win in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday.

Boro defeated Preston North End 4-0 at the Riverside to move within touching distance of the automatic promotion spot, with Nigeria Super Eagles striker Akpom heavily involved again.

The 27-year-old, who has been in fine form since the former Manchester United midfielder took reigns at Boro, played another decisive role for the club against Preston North End.

Akpom put behind him the disappointing omission of his name from the Nigeria Super Eagles squad for the double-header against Guinea-Bissau to inspire Boro to a comfortable outing at home.

He scored the game’s opener in the first half and assisted man of the match, Cameron Archer, in the second to continue his fine form.

Following the performance from Akpom and his teammates, their manager at Boro, Carrick, was a proud man and full of praise for his players whom he described as ‘terrific’.

“Yeah, really good (result),” Carrick told the Middlesbrough website after the game on Saturday.

“From the start, I thought we were terrific.  I thought the boys hit the spot, hit top gear really quick [and] controlled the game, looked dangerous and a really good team.”

“I was delighted. You know, there was a bit of a mini-setback in midweek [vs Stoke City] in terms of the result and they [Akpom and teammates] have been terrific over the last couple of days, raring to go to show what they are capable of. So, I am proud of them.”

After he contributed to two of the goals against Preston, Nigeria Super Eagles will miss out on a player in superb form.

Akpom, who played from start to finish, has now scored 24 goals and assisted two others in 31 matches for Boro this season.

He created two chances, made one key pass and completed 95% of his passes against Preston North End.