Fulsome praise for Boa

Houghton said: "I must say, I do prefer seeing Boa play in the centre rather than out on the left. He seems to figure more in matches when he plays in the middle.

"I also think being captain has added an extra dimension to his game.

"He's flying around the pitch these days, whacking into challenges and he looks a different player - and a much better one at that. Out wide, he can't dictate the game in the same way as he can in the centre."