Middlesbrough Coach Counting On Mikel To Bring The Best Out Of Bosnia Star

Middlesbrough coach Tony Pulis is hoping the arrival of John Obi Mikel can bring out the best in Bosnia international midfielder Muhamed Bešić.

Boro made it two wins on the bounce following a 2-0 victory against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, with the Everton loanee setting up both goals.

Pulis was delighted with the performance of the Bosnian against the Hoops after he struggled to find form in earlier matches.

''I thought Besic was excellent in the first half, that was like him last year, '' Pulis told reporters post-match.

"We've got to get him up to that level. There are 13 games left, that's a lot of games. And if we can get Besic up to that level that he was at last year, him and John...yeah, that's an awesome pair in midfield.

"It might help him (Besic) that the two of them are close together, they both live next to each other now, so John might bring that out of him."

Mikel, who went the distance against QPR, has been partnered in central midfield by Besic in three of his five starts.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : mfc.co.uk