It has been another frustrating season for Boro's veteran centre-back, Chris Riggott. The Derby-born defender has endured multiple surgeries following a niggly ankle problem and has not played for Boro since January.
Riggott has made just five appearances for Boro in all competitions since Gordon Strachan took over as manager, despite an ever changing back four line-up, and is aware that being a centre-back puts him at a disadvantage.
"Frustrating doesn't really do it justice." he said
"The last few years really, I was looking at some appearances list - I don't like doing it, but I noticed it and it doesn't make good reading, I'm aware of that. I'm sure others watching me and paying me are [away] as well."
"It feels ok when I have played.
"It is frustrating because I've been on the bench, but it is a position where you know you are not going to come on unless someone gets injured."
Boro currently have Stephen McManus, David Wheater and Emanuel Pogatetz, besides Riggott, as registered centre-backs, with youngsters such as Jonathan Grounds and Seb Hines also being able to play in that position.
However this is not a new situation for Riggott who signed for the club when the towering Ugo Ehiogu was unshakable in his partnership with then captain Gareth Southgate.
"When I first came here they had Ugo Ehiogu and Gareth was captain, playing 30 or 40 games but you do need strength in depth."
And Riggott knows he must continue to look after his body, in case he does get the chance to participate before the end of the season.
"That's the most important thing" he said "I need to keep myself fit incase I get an opportunity."
Riggott recently had the opportunity to go back to Derby when Boro played them last month, and enjoyed the ocassion, although naturally he would have prefered to have been playing.
"That was a strange feeling, very strange feeling when I went. I would have liked to get on the pitch, but it was nice to hear 30 or 32 thousand people cheering, it was lovely."
Chris is also in agreement with his team mates that winning is all important at this late stage of the season.
"Draws are no good to us at all its all about the three points, it's nice to play well but its all about winning the games."
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 13/4/2010
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