Middlesbrough made nine summer signings this year but some are struggling more than others.
After missing out on the play-offs by just four points in the previous campaign, Middlesbrough spent big and well during the most recent transfer window.
Aidan Morris has been praised heavily since his arrival on Teesside from the MLS, being dubbed an incredible find by one pundit.
Free transfer Luke Ayling was the ‘best player’ for Middlesbrough versus Portsmouth in their 2-2 draw last month.
Further forward, winger Delano Burgzorg has impressed for Boro in several matches this term, including in the League Cup win over Leeds United.
Elsewhere, Tommy Conway has already found the net for Middlesbrough after his £4.5m move from Bristol City and Neto Borges was thrown straight into the eleven this past weekend after his arrival from Ligue 2 last week.
However, while most of Boro’s summer additions are already key figures under Michael Carrick, Micah Hamilton is having a hard time breaking into the team.
Micah Hamilton career at Middlesbrough so far
Boro got a decent chunk of their summer transfer business done early but several players arrived in August.
Hamilton joined Middlesbrough from Manchester City for £3.5m, including add-ons, ahead of their opening day Championship fixture against Swansea City.
The 20-year-old did not feature in that tie and has since only notched 32 minutes of action in his new club’s following three league matches.
Hamilton also only played nine minutes of the League Cup win over Leeds and was hooked after 63 minutes against Stoke City in what is, so far, his only start for Boro.
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Why Micah Hamilton could be questioning Middlesbrough move
Hamilton has swapped training with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden for the Riverside, presumably because he believed he would be guaranteed to start at Middlesbrough.
However, despite Isaiah Jones performing poorly in several games already this term, the former City gem is yet to start a league match on the right wing.
Carrick may have told the player he needs more time to embed, but that excuse is unlikely to fly after Borges signed on a Tuesday and made his first start four days later.
To make matters worse for Hamilton, Boro completed a late move for Ben Doak in August.
The Scotland international is best suited to the right-wing role, meaning there is now even more competition for Hamilton out wide.
And though he has not returned from injury yet, Marcus Forss will eventually make a comeback and give Hamilton a third right-winger to contend with.
Competition is normally healthy for players, but the Englishman may regret his move to Middlesbrough now he has failed to get into the team ahead of Jones and is facing fresh competition from Doak.
It is a big problem, but one Hamilton will have to overcome if he is to continue his development on Teesside.