MX23RW : Monday, November 25 10:37:09| >> :120:65248:65248:
[monks data]
Brentford logo
Championship Playoffs | Semi-Finals
May 8, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Middlesbrough logo

1-2

Gray (54')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Vossen (26'), Amorebieta (93')

Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Clayton: 'Marbella trip made difference'

Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Clayton believes that the club's warm-weather trip to Marbella before the playoff semi-final with Brentford was a "masterstroke".

Adam Clayton has claimed that Middlesbrough's recent trip to Marbella gave them a lift ahead of Friday night's Championship playoff semi-final first leg with Brentford.

Boro put themselves in pole position to advance to the Wembley final on Bank Holiday Monday later this month by winning 2-1 at Griffin Park, with substitute Fernando Amorebieta grabbing a late winner for the visitors.

After picking up just one point out of a possible six from their final two games of the season to miss out on automatic promotion, Boro boss Aitor Karanka flew the squad to Southern Spain for some warm-weather training and centre-midfielder Clayton feels that it was a "masterstroke".

"I think [going to Spain] was a masterstroke," he told the club website. "It was just what we needed.

"You could see against Brighton (on the final day of the season) it was tired legs after a long season and more just to reinvigorate a few brains and legs.

"It really did that, there was a lot of mischief and banter going on so the bond of the group got stronger and it was worthwhile trip."

Boro are hoping to end an six-year stay in the Championship by winning the playoffs. The second leg against Brentford takes place at the Riverside on Friday night.

ID:222237: cacheID:222237:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2396:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jelle Vossen of Middlesbrough celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Sky Bet Championship Playoff semi-final first leg match between Brentford and Middlesbrough at Griffin Park on May 8, 2015
Read Next:
Amorebieta gives Boro advantage
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!