Alex Neil defends Middlesbrough’s £5m transfer decision after Millwall promotion twist | OneFootball

Alex Neil defended Middlesbrough's decision to sell Josh Coburn to Millwall, after he netted a match-winning brace on his return to the Riverside.

Alex Neil's Millwall came from behind to beat automatic promotion rivals Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside Stadium on Good Friday, lifting themselves into the top two in the Championship.

All eyes in the Championship were on the early kick-off on Good Friday, as second-placed Boro welcomed third-placed Millwall to Teesside, in what could prove to be a decisive fixture in both teams' fate this term.

The hosts took the lead in the 26th minute via a Dael Fry header, having dominated much of the opening exchanges, but a cruel twist of fate came in the second half for Kim Hellberg's men.

Former Middlesbrough striker Josh Cobun returned to haunt his former club, netting a second half brace to completely turn the contest on its head, lifting the Lions into the automatic promotion places at Boro's expense.

The 23-year-old joined Millwall for a reported £5m last summer, which was touted as an overpay by the London club. However, the striker and his new club may have just had the last laugh in the promotion race.

Alex Neil defends Middlesbrough's decision to sanction Josh Coburn exit

As was to be expected, much of the talk post-match was about Coburn, who gave Boro fans a painful reminder of their club's decision to sanction his departure last summer.

However, Millwall boss Alex Neil defended Middlesbrough's decision to allow the forward to leave the Riverside, telling The Northern Echo there was no point keeping a player at the club who wouldn't be playing.

"I think it's sort of easy to have a dig at your own club, isn't it, when you've sold somebody and then they go and score a goal?" Said the Lions boss.

"But the simple fact is, if Josh wouldn't have played here, then what's the point in keeping him?

"I can't answer that question for Middlesbrough. But what I can say is, I think his strengths really suit us.

"He might not suit Middlesbrough in terms of how they play, but he's very, very good for us because we play with that target man, we want to put the ball up to him, we want to put crosses in the box, and I think that suits him as well."

Josh Coburn thriving under Alex Neil at Millwall

It seems Boro's loss is Millwall's gain, as their decision to allow Coburn to leave the club last summer has come back to haunt them in what could prove to be a decisive match in the context of both teams' seasons.

The consensus on social media following the £5m signing of Coburn was that Millwall had overpaid for the forward, but he's proven to be worth every penny so far, despite his injury struggles.

The 23-year-old also faced multiple injury setbacks during his time on Teesside, which played a part in preventing him from kicking on as he would've liked.

However, Neil's system seems to suit Coburn to a tee, playing to the former Boro man's strengths, and giving him an environment in which he can show the very best of his abilities, which he certainly did on Friday.