With only one game gone in Middlesbrough’s new Championship campaign, there is no need whatsoever for fans to be rethinking their club’s chances of success or panicking about the team’s shortcomings.
We really are just one game in. Not that that stops the multi-media meltdown from certain corners of Boro’s fanbase.
However, there are subtle insights from our first match that should not be ignored. Insights that will require some attention to ensure that the Teessider’s don’t fall into that trap of playing catch-up for the rest of the season. Especially with the impressive squads of the likes of Leicester and Southampton.
The 1-0 defeat to Millwall was disappointing, more so from a first-half point of view, where they appeared to be a little bit too relaxed in their approach. The second half did offer more promise and they applied more pressure without really testing their goalkeeper enough.
We know from experience that Michael Carrick will definitely not panic, but the lack of goal threat will have given him something to ponder.
Playing attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers in a number nine role is something that won’t click overnight, and fans must understand that. It is a specialist role and he is a young player learning on the job. But the Championship is unforgiving and if Boro don’t learn how to win games quickly, they could give themselves a mountain to climb.
Against Millwall, Boro completed more accurate passes than any other team in the division barring pass master Russell Martin’s Southampton. We know that they can be easy on the eye and have some very talented footballer’s at Boro. Now it is about winning games, and the domination in terms of controlling possession has to translate into points.
Middlesbrough must search for a striker
It is expected that the club will continue to explore the transfer and loan market in their search for a striker and they also have Chuba Akpom to return to the side who will hopefully make a huge difference. Jonny Howson looks ready to return who will also be a huge boost in terms of experience and leadership.
There is a long way to go and even with a couple of positions needing to be strengthened, Middlesbrough have one of the better squads equipped to cope with the demanding schedule at this level.
The positive for Carrick, is that an early opportunity to eradicate any lingering hangover from their last defeat is always just around the corner. The trip to Huddersfield in the Carabao cup offers just that.
Players who didn’t start in Boro’s opener against Millwall, like Coburn, Akpom, Howson, Jones, van den Berg, Payero and Gilbert will all hope for the chance to shine.
The north east club will hope not to be ‘Warnocked’ by their former manager who humbled them at the back end of last season in a 4-1 victory.