Mido Praises Team Spirit

FIT again striker Mido says Boro's new found team spirit earned a replay in a game they could easily have lost had it been played earlier in the season.After three months sidelined through injury, the 24-year-old was starting a game for the first time in four months on Sunday.
The Egypt international was delighted to be back playing in an FA Cup sponsored by E.ON fifth round which brought a few surprises - and a cautious Middlesbrough side were glad not to add to the ever growing list of Premier League casualties.

We knew it would be a tough game, we were expecting them to be in our faces," said Mido. "Sheffield United did well, fighting for every ball, we did the same and now we play them at home in the replay but it won't be an easy game."
Mido believes that Sunday's result was down to the recently found spirit within the squad.
"Maybe earlier in the season we would have lost a game like this, but with the team character we have everyone is fighting for everything and you can see the spirit on the pitch."
Mido felt could have won the game after coming close to scoring seveal times in the first 15 minutes of the second half, but some good saves by keeper Paddy Kenny kept United in the tie.

"Looking at the chances we created we could have won the game, but it's not a bad result. We were a bit unlucky with a volley from Stewey and the last minute header from Poggy."
A huge army of Boro fans made the trip down to Bramall Lane and they did not go unnoticed by Mido and the team, who were grateful for terrific backing.
"It was great to see 6,000 Boro supporters there. The supporters are behind us more than before because they can see we are fighting for everything and each other."
Mido, who played 70 minutes of Sunday's game, is grateful to Boro's backroom staff for their hard work in getting him back to fitness.
"The medical staff have been working with me every day. I only need games now to get match fitness and sharpness. In a couple of games I will be much better."
After missing much of the season through injury and undergoing some rigorous work on the training ground, Mido is back in the frame and again in contention for a place in the starting line-up against Liverpool on Saturday.