Steve Bruce makes Middlesbrough 'there or thereabouts prediction after West Brom draw

Steve Bruce has predicted that Middlesbrough will be there or thereabouts in this season's Championship promotion race after watching his West Brom side come from behind to claim a point at the Riverside in the first game of the new season.

Ahead of the game the Baggies' boss had admitted he felt travelling to Teesside was about as tough as his promotion-hopeful side could have got to start the campaign, and so it proved. Boro absolutely dominated the first half after Isaiah Jones put them 1-0 up in the tenth minute.

But after harsh words and tactical changes at half time, West Brom's quality showed after the break and Boro were made to rue many missed opportunities in that dominant first 45 as John Swift netted an equaliser to ultimately earn the visitors a point from the game.

Chris Wilder delighted with Middlesbrough's start to the season with only one obvious gripe

Reflecting after, the former Newcastle United manager said: “What you say in the dressing room has to stay in the dressing room but there were a few home truths. I think they just needed reminding to play with a bit more intensity, and the second half was chalk and cheese – that was evident for everybody to see.

“I thought we started well enough but we didn't really recover after they scored until half-time. The second half was much better and I was pleased with the reaction but the 25 minutes after they scored was difficult for us. We were a bit passive with and without it but in the second half and that’s the standard we’ve got to be at.

“Arguably we could have gone on to win it, but Middlesbrough, for me, will be there or thereabouts. First game of the season there’s a bit of a feel-good factor around and there were times in the first half when it was