Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng is backing Afonso Alves to live up to his £12 million price-tag.
The Brazilian has had a difficult start at Middlesbrough and has not scored in his six games.
But Boro midfielder Boateng reckons that patience is key.
"He needs to be with us for a while and a while means about six months," Boateng said. "The manager keeps telling people to give Alves a chance and I couldn't agree with him more. We do not need a scapegoat in our team or at our club. We lose together and we win together and I think some of the things that have been said after the Cardiff game are very unfair.
"It's even harder for a striker to settle in at a new club because they live or die by what happens in one second. Other players have the whole 90 minutes to show what they can do - strikers live for one second. If they don't take that chance, it's gone. Strikers can be crucified for their misses, but it's important that doesn't happen with Alves.
"I like to stick up for my team-mates. It's a long season and we all go through bad spells, but Afonso has not even been here long enough to have had any kind of a spell. When I came into this country, I thought I was very, very fit. I was famous for being one of the fittest players in Holland, but when I played my first game in England I couldn't even last for the full 90 minutes. I had to come off after 60 minutes because I was feeling so tired.
"I had the best condition in Holland, but that still wasn't good enough for England. Alves has moved between the same two countries and the physical demands are very different. He needs time. The pace might look easy, but there are still times when I am out of breath during a game. Even now I still have to work and work to keep my fitness and stamina in shape. I have complete faith in him. He will be an excellent buy for this club."
