Schwarzer thankful for point

Posted on 11th December 2006

Middlesbrough player Mark Schwarzer feels Boro should be grateful of a point after their draw with Wigan at the weekend. The thirty–four year old keeper was Middlesbrough's man of the match with several good saves to help Gareth Southgate's side to a point.

"Before the match we really thought we had a great chance off getting the three points," said Schwarzer. "But unfortunately the way we started the first half that wasn't going to happen because we didn't give ourselves a chance."

Boro conceded a controversial penalty that was duly put away by Henri Camara. It was the third spot kick conceded in the last four matches but the Australian international didn't have too many complaints.

"I think it was to be fair. Manny wasn't very well before the game, it was one of those things whether he could of played or not," said the keeper. "In the end the decision was up to him to make whether as to whether he was fit or not. He's been unfortunate because he's been superb this season.

Meanwhile Mark Viduka made it back into the starting line–up after recovering from broken toes. Schwarzer thought it was great to see his country man back in the team. "It's been difficult, you get injuries, you get suspensions. Dukes has been out for a while so it was nice to have him back on the park and playing 90 minutes. We've certainly missed him. It is important to get stability in the team. Unfortunately we've had the problem with Huthy being out for a few weeks and now Manny being ill so we've had to reshuffle and it's important to get the balance back pretty quickly," said the keeper.

Earlier Middlesbrough news

Huth on the sidelines with injury
Red card joy for Boateng
Boro and Tottenham charged by the FA
Stop conceding soft goals
Southgate feels cheated
Southgate looking forward to Man Utd visit
Mendieta heading to Bilbao
I know time is running out – Christie
Bates suffers serious knee injury
Southgate questions referee penalty decision
Downing competition is something for Arca to learn
We are capable of better says Woodgate
Johnson returns to Boro
Not good enough says Southgate
Southgate must wait