Middlesbrough returned to winning ways on Monday, as they swept aside Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium.
Victory for the hosts moved them on to 58 points, six adrift of the play-offs spots after Norwich City were beaten 3-1 by Leicester City.
Michael Carrick‘s side are picking up form at the right time and although it remains unlikely, a top-six finish is certainly still attainable.
With six games remaining of the season, Boro have 18 crucial points to play for and they can’t afford to slip up.
They’ll need some big performances and a number of players to return to form and one player seems to be doing just that, after impressing in the win against Wednesday.
Daniel Barlaser hailed for display v Sheffield Wednesday
Daniel Barlaser received Middlesbrough’s Man of the Match award after producing a stellar performance in the 2-0 win over Wednesday, likened to that of an ‘NFL quarterback’, interestingly enough.
“Touching the ball more than any other Boro player, Barlaser dictated the tempo for Boro in a performance much more like what they need from the ex-Rotherham man,” Gazzette Live journalist Craig Johns wrote.
“Making Boro tick, the game was probably set up perfectly for him – with Sheffield Wednesday ultimately guilty of offering him the time on the ball he likes to then become the footballing equivalent of an NFL quarterback, spraying balls around the pitch.
“Supported well by Lewis O’Brien as the midfield duo proved they can play together, Barlaser was superb,” Johns added.
Middlesbrough need players to step up
With Barlaser playing into form, Boro need others to step up heading into the business end of the campaign.
If their playoff hopes are to materialise, it’ll be because of a collective effort, with the forwards all on red-hot form.
Samuel Silvera hasn’t registered a goal or an assist since his strike away at Leicester in February whilst Sam Greenwood is also on a drought in front of goal, having not found the net since December.
Boro can’t afford to carry any passengers and they need more from their forward line.
Key players returning from injury will also be vital for Carrick, who confirmed Rav van den Berg could be back in the squad this weekend.
Hayden Hackney is another who is nearing a return, so with that said, there’s no reason why Boro can’t put together a winning run to end the season on a high.