Riggott ready to battle
Posted on 9th January 2007
Middlesbrough player Chris Riggott is ready to battle for his place. The twenty–six year old defender has made only five starts this season due to injury. He has slipped down the pecking order at Middlesbrough when fit with with Jonathan Woodgate and Emanuel Pogatetz preferred at the back, and Robert Huth a rival for a starting spot.
However a pre–Christmas return at Fulham and a good performance against Hull City in the FA Cup the player is hopeful of holding down his place in the Middlesbrough team. And he has scotched speculation linking him with a January exit by revealing he is content at the club and up for the battle as he bids to cement a first–team berth.
"This season has been really frustrating," said Riggott. "Naturally any player wants to play but I've got no problems with the two centre halves, they've been playing well. It's just up to me to fight for my place and play well when I get the chance. I'm happy at the club and happy to fight for my place, that's the be–all and end–all. There is competition for places, that's what the manager wanted and we've got that and I'm happy to compete for it."
Riggott saw enough good signs against the Tigers on Saturday to suggest that Boro can start turning away performances into their first road win since April. But he admits they need to cut out the errors that led to Nicky Forster's equaliser, especially with Saturday's crucial basement trip to Charlton looming.
"It's been a while since we won away. It's a case of we are playing pretty well, we just can't convert it into a win and Hull was another case of that," he said. "We played pretty well and on the balance of play should have had the win. I'm pleased with the way we played in parts of the game but it was disappointing not to come away with the win. It was disappointing to concede putting it mildly, we can't afford to do it. It was one of those goals where a good ball in and any sort of touch it was going to go in. It was all about how they got the free kick and that's what we've got to look at. We know Charlton is a big, big game and we need to beat the teams around us. But if we can keep playing like we did in spells at Hull I'm sure we will soon shoot up the league."
Earlier Middlesbrough news
Middlesbrough interested in pairBoro hopeful of cup run but Hull confidentForwards can ease Boro awaySouthgate wants Viduka to staySouthgate delighted at character shownWe must win the battle first says CattermoleViduka wants to stayBoro will come good insists VidukaFriendship on the backburnerUneasy relationship draws to a closeSporting Lisbon more than keen on RochembackSouthgate set to downsize Boro squadSchwarzer thankful for pointHuth on the sidelines with injuryRed card joy for Boateng