Chris Wilder responds to Joe Lumley criticism at Middlesbrough

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One clear weakness in the Middlesbrough side that is gunning for promotion in the Championship this season is the goalkeeper position.

Joe Lumley was out of favor at Queens Park Rangers last term and spent time on loan in League One with Gillingham and Doncaster Rovers.

It was a surprise to see him begin the season as the club’s number one, with Luke Daniels as backup, and despite some strong displays, Lumley’s ineptitude has shown at certain points.

This has been an issue all season and it was a surprise to see the club not pursue a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window.

Chris Wilder credited Lumley’s response to criticism when he spoke to TeessideLive.

He said: “I hear the noise and I feel it.

“There has been criticism of him, and there has been criticism of him in-camp as well.

“I won’t shy away from that.

“We’ve asked the question of Joe. ‘Come on, you need to do better and you need to make a few more saves and produce better performances’.

“I’ve got to say last two he has.

“So hopefully that’s an important step for him.

“But I’ve got to say, that’s a big show of character from Joe when the little question has been asked of him.

“He’s come up with the goods and hopefully he can continue doing so.”

With Bournemouth faltering there is still an outside chance that Middlesbrough can force their way into the automatic promotion conversation if they can finish the season very strongly, and transfer their FA Cup form into commanding performances in the league.

The Verdict

Quiz: Can you name what club these Middlesbrough one-appearance wonders play for now?

This season was always going to be a tough ask for Lumley, and the spotlight is on him further with the club competing for a place in the Premier League.

In Anfernee Dijksteel, Dael Fry and Paddy McNair, Lumley could not ask for better protection and his individual contributions could have a huge impact on the points Boro are able to gather between now and the end of the campaign.

Confidence can have a huge effect on a goalkeeper’s performance levels, similarly to how it can impact the form of a striker, and keeping the spirits high in the camp should help Lumley focus on his game.

The life of a keeper always has its ups and downs and there could be many more between now and the end of the season.

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