Michael Carrick will be finding it hard to justify one Middlesbrough man’s continued selection after another poor showing vs Sunderland.
It was another disappointing weekend for Michael Carrick and his Boro players, who are still yet to get out of second gear this season.
Middlesbrough faced off with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, aiming to pick up back-to-back wins at their ground for the first time since 2006.
Regis Le Bris’ side headed into the game having won four and drawn one of their opening five Championship fixtures and as a result, a tough outing was predicted for the Teessiders.
The away outfit dominated in the very early stages with Tommy Conway and Matt Clarke both wasting free headers.
But as has become a recurring theme this season, Boro were made to pay for their wastefulness, with Chris Rigg going on to score the match-winning goal in the 24th minute, leaving Carrick’s men 12th in the Championship table.
- READ MORE: Michael Carrick already has solution to major Middlesbrough problem, it’s staring him in the face
Isaiah Jones running out of chances at Middlesbrough
A number of Middlesbrough players failed to impress during the meeting with Sunderland.
Neto Borges’ dismal display has caused Carrick problems, with the Brazilian unable to be dropped as there are no out-and-out replacements for him right now, with Lukas Engel carrying a knock and in even worse form anyway.
Elsewhere, it was another poor afternoon for long-time Boro player, Isaiah Jones.
Barring a solid 30 minutes versus Swansea City on the opening weekend, Jones has been poor for Middlesbrough this season.
The defeat at Sunderland was no exception, with Teesside Live fairly critical of the ‘wasteful’ Jones in their player ratings.
They wrote: “Wasteful again. Created Boro’s best chance for Conway early on, but wasted so many other decent openings with poor balls. Feels a matter of time before he loses his place.”
- READ MORE: Middlesbrough rank above Chelsea and Liverpool in one important area, it’s down to Michael Carrick
Stoke City may be Isaiah Jones’ last chance at Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough’s next Championship fixture will see them face off with Stoke City on September 28th.
The clash is of huge importance to Boro’s season as anything but a win may kill off their promotion push before it even gets going.
The meeting at the Riverside could also be Jones’ last chance to prove he deserves his starting berth.
While the struggling Borges cannot really be dropped right now, there are plenty of players waiting in line to take Jones’ place.
Carrick has been told to start Ben Doak this weekend after the Liverpool loanee once again looked sharp in his brief cameo off the bench.
Behind the Scotsman, Micah Hamilton has been signed from Manchester City and will be desperate to prove himself when he finally gets his first league start.
Long-term absentee Marcus Forss is back in training as well and could usurp Jones if he once again underperforms against Stoke on Saturday.