At a recent MFC community event, which also goalkeeper Danny Coyne also attended, ComeOnBoro.com's Elle Brunton sat down with Boro's cheeky Irish winger Mark Yeates to talk team selections, fan reactions and that save by Leicester City keeper Chris Weale.
Speaking ahead of Boro's 2-0 victory over Reading:
EB: Mark, you've been in and out of the side since arriving at the Boro but you made an impact against Leicester, do you think you'll be back in the starting line up?
MY: Every player wants to start every game, I'm no different. We're disappointed not to play or not to start. We had a good start to the season and away, things were going brilliantly...
I just have to keep training well and working hard and take my chances. Hopefully if the gaffer names me I can come in and we can go and get a result.
We've got to stick together and hopefully we'll kick on. But it is up to me to stake a claim.
EB: Obviously home results have been disappointing but the Coventry match was particularly frustrating...
MY: We should definitely have won [against Coventry] but that's the league, it is just the way it is.
EB: And we've got the international break coming up, you're not involved with the Republic of Ireland squad are you?
MY: No I'm not involved but Sean St Ledger and Caleb Folan were named in the squad. I've got to be playing for Middlesbrough first, hopefully international recognition will come after that.
EB: Folan's injured, he must be disappointed that he can't play?
MY: The big man came in looking to make an impression and play first team football. He's looked really good for the first few days, in training. And then he came on against West Brom. I feel sorry for him because those few minutes when we were losing are the only thing the fans have seen of him.
Hopefully his injury heals quicker than expected, get him involved as soon as possible. It's a big blow for the squad.
EB: You've come close to scoring a couple of times, do you feel under pressure to get your first league goal for us?
MY: To be honest I have been disappointed that I haven't got my name on the score sheet. I've just got to keep getting in the right positions.
EB: You were incredibly unlucky not to score against Leicester but the keeper made an excellent save...
MY: We've been watching the video back in training and a lot of the lads were laughing at my reaction because I looked like I wanted to kill someone! But its just the passion coming out.
It doesn't matter who's scoring goals as long as we are winning. Hopefully if I'm in the team I can get a goal and we can get a result.
EB: Which of your new team mates has really impressed you?
MY: Obviously I think a lot of people know me and Johno get on great, we're good friends. I knew him a little bit because I played against him when he was on loan to Watford. I think he scored and I thought he looked like a good player.
And to keep playing like that when there's always two on him is even more impressive.
When Leroy Lita gets going. I think there's a lot to come from him.
Jeremie Aliadiere, he's another one, he's a smashing player!
It is hard to single people out. Everyone needs to look out because we've got a really strong squad.
If we can keep everyone fit and firing we have a great chance [of winning the Championship].
EB: Who are you most looking forward to playing against this season, a team or a player if you prefer?
MY: I'm really looking forward to the Newcastle match. I think it's a big game in the Championship, and I've never been involved in a big derby at this level.
It will be nice to see the atmosphere.
EB: There has been a massive difference between the home fans and the away support. How much of an impact does that have on the players?
MY: I do think the fans have gone a bit overboard. But I think the players see and understand the frustration of the home fans. At home its down to us to lift them at times.
We've been better away and the fans have been really involved. At Scunthorpe it was like our stadium, really, they were brilliant that day!
But I understand it. I mean I'm a fan, I'm just them same when my team is losing or not playing well.
We have got to give them something to cheer about.
EB: Can I just take a quick photo please.
MY: What on my own?
EB: You can have Danny in it if you like.
MY: (yells) Coyney! Come here, I need someone to make me look good!
As we now know, Yeates did start the Reading match and Boro did 'kick on' with a professional display and a 2-0 victory over the Royals.
Yeates has yet to get his name on the scoresheet but will be looking to remedy that when Boro welcome Watford to the Riverside on Saturday 17th October, 3.00pm.
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 9/10/2009
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