Express & Star

Wolves aiming to break Middlesbrough hoodoo

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Wolves' record at Middlesbrough is, in a word, atrocious.

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April 11, 1951, was the date when they last won in that area of the North East, specifically at Boro's old Ayresome Park ground.

Roy Swinbourne scored both goals that day in a winning team that included Dennis Wilshaw, Jesse Pye and Jimmy Dunn.

Anyone who witnessed it would have thought it ludicrous to suggest Wolves would not win at Middlesbrough for 64 years – and counting.

That's a barren run of 23 matches, 22 in the league (14 defeats and eight draws) and one in the FA Cup (a 1-1 draw in 1981).

The club's fortunes at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium, which opened in 1995, are no better than at Ayresome Park, with three draws and one defeat at the ground.

The most recent of those came in April of this year when Bakary Sako's second-half goal was all Wolves could muster in reply to early strikes from Jelle Vossen and Patrick Bamford.

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With Middlesbrough in good form, Wolves boss Kenny Jackett knows it won't be an easy task to end Wolves' horrendous run.

The hosts are aiming for a sixth successive victory in all competitions.

He said of Aitor Karanka's side: "They are another Championship side and a quality side but if you want to progress you have to overcome these teams.

Middlesbrough have started the season very strongly and built on a really good season with some big signings of top players like Downing and David Nugent.

"We are looking forward to the game and make sure we are ready and prepared.

"They have invested heavily and they have a good squad.

"It is about what we do and our performance, making sure people take their opportunities and we play well."