Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has admitted that he was more than happy with the attitude shown by his team to claim an opening-day point against Stoke City.
The Smoggies were denied a dream return to the Premier League following a seven-season absence by a fine Xherdan Shaqiri free kick in the second half.
Alvaro Negredo had earlier opened the scoring for Boro following a strong start to the contest at the Riverside Stadium, but the hosts were unable to see out the remainder of the game.
Karanka believes that some context is needed, however, with a whole host of new players still having to adapt and opponents Stoke finishing in the top half of the division for three seasons in succession.
"I can't be disappointed, especially with our performance and with the attitude of the team," he is quoted as saying by the Hartlepool Mail. "It's true that maybe we should've won the game, but we can't forget that three months ago we were playing in the Championship and they had finished ninth in the Premier League, so for that reason I'm more than pleased.
"We had six or seven players who were playing their first game in the Premier League, so it's been good for me to know that we're ready once again. We showed that.
"We are in the Premier League and now we have to take advantage in every situation as the opponent always will. Their four players up front – Shaqiri, [Marko] Arnautovic, Bojan [Krkic] and [Mame Biram] Diouf – they are all quality and with one free kick they scored."
Next up for Middlesbrough is a short trip to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light next Sunday.
Daniel Lewis
