Chris Wilder has challenged Folarin Balogun to continue his goal scoring form until the end of the season.

Middlesbrough moved into the play-off places with a 4-0 win over Peterborough United at the weekend.

Arsenal loanee Balogun scored the third in a comfortable victory for the side following the return from the international break. 

That goal was his third in the Championship since joining Boro in the January transfer window.

Wilder has now urged the striker to continue this form into the end of the campaign as the club looks to claim a top six finish. 

The Middlesbrough boss has revealed that he had his eye on Balogun well before he arrived at the club and that he sees a lot of promise in the player, but now he wants the 20-year old to deliver. 

Wilder also revealed he is pleased with his overall attacking options, with five forwards now capable of striking a partnership up front in his starting lineup.

“To score goals and play both games when there is big competition there at the top of the pitch for the under-21s is great,” said Wilder, via the Northern Echo

"But he also understands the challenges ahead of him here. I know he’s done a couple of interviews and talked about how much he’s enjoying it here and how much he’s learning.

“The biggest thing now is how he does on the green bit on a Saturday and a midweek night. 

“I’ve got every confidence in him, and we’ve got five really good players at the top of the pitch. Josh [Coburn] has really pushed his way through which is great for me, Andy Sporar is back and Duncan [Watmore], we know exactly what we’ll get from Duncan.

“Then obviously Aaron [Connolly] and Flo come in from Premier League clubs and it’s a healthy group of players at the top of the pitch. 

“They know they’re going to have to produce and score important goals for us. We are a creator of big chances, and obviously the most difficult part is scoring but we’re confident we can.”

 

 

Middlesbrough have eight games left to play in this Championship season, two more than most of their play-off rivals.

Up next for Boro is the visit of league leaders Fulham to the Riverside this evening.

The Verdict

There were a lot of expectations on Balogun when he initially arrived at Middlesbrough given he was a part of Arsenal’s first team squad earlier this season.

But the forward has slotted in rather smoothly during his brief stint in the club.

Three league goals from eight appearances is a solid return and has helped Boro into the play-off places. 

The five-way competition for two places up front is a healthy balance for Wilder to have in his squad, especially ahead of such a busy schedule to finish the season.