Middlesbrough have a huge meeting with bitter rivals Sunderland to prepare for this week.
Boro’s 2024/25 season has not exactly got off to the start Michael Carrick would have been hoping for.
Middlesbrough drew 1-1 with Preston North End over the weekend, leaving them 10th in the Championship table after five games.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 8 |  DerbyDerby | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 9 |
| 9 |  LeedsLeeds | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| 10 |  MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 11 |  SwanseaSwansea | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 12 |  QPRQPR | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 6 |
In comparison, Sunderland, despite their recent loss to Plymouth Argyle, are second in the division heading into the weekend’s meeting.
Carrick has watched his men drop points to several ‘weak’ sides already this term, including Derby County and Portsmouth.
Should Middlesbrough fail to beat Sunderland on Saturday, it could hand them a major blow on the promotion front.
In turn, Carrick must now look to make some changes to his forward line, which has struggled to score goals despite dominating games and creating plenty of chances.
Michael Carrick must start Ben Doak for Middlesbrough vs Sunderland
With Marcus Forss still recovering from injury, Isaiah Jones began the 2024/25 season as Boro’s primary right-wing option.
Jones impressed for Middlesbrough vs Swansea City on the opening weekend, winning a penalty that Emmanuel Latte Lath scored to hand the Teessiders their first opening-day win in 10 years.
However, the 25-year-old has been inconsistent in his following appearances this term and even cost Boro three points with a miss-placed backpass versus Derby last month.
With Saturday’s match such a big game for Middlesbrough, Carrick must now consider dropping Jones and replacing him with Ben Doak.
The Scotland international arrived at the Riverside Stadium from Liverpool on deadline day but was not in the squad for the Cardiff City meeting.
Doak made his Middlesbrough debut against Preston, after which he was labeled ‘aggressive’ by Carrick.
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Why Ben Doak should start for Middlesbrough vs Sunderland
The 18-year-old did not have the most exciting debut for the North East outfit but big things are still expected of him this season.
Head of Football Kieran Scott dubbed Doak a ‘game-changing’ signing in an interview last week and it is easy to see why.
The teenager is rapid, a great dribbler and enjoys running at defenders whenever he picks up the ball.
Jones possesses very similar qualities to the Liverpool loanee but, as Boro fans are well aware, he is one of the most frustrating, inconsistent players to watch.
The Guyana international’s decision-making in the final third has already cost Middlesbrough several major chances this season and his continued inclusion in the eleven will come back to bite Carrick, potentially against Sunderland.
Unlike most of the teams Boro have faced this season, the Black Cats are expected to press high and take the game to their rivals.
This will allow Middlesbrough to hit Sunderland on the counter, something they are very good at doing under Carrick.
But if Jones remains in the starting line-up ahead of Doak, he is sure to waste at least one big chance during the game.