A number of Middlesbrough’s summer signings found life in the Championship difficult early in the campaign, but as the side collectively found some form, the new arrivals began to shine.
With a lingering hangover from last season’s play-off heartache, the club-still licking it’s metaphorical wounds-had to watch as Chuba Akpom, Cameron Archer, and Aaron Ramsey headed for the Riverside exit. A collective of around 45 goals walked out with them and left a gaping void in the Boro attack.
They were left with Matthew Hoppe, Josh Coburn and a makeshift striker in Matt Crooks. The club brought in a new number nine in Emannuel Latte Lath, an exciting, unpredictable and explosive prospect who had lit up the Swiss Super League with some impressive performances, scoring 16 goals in 34 appearances last season.
Difficult start to Championship life
Latte Lath was always going to take time to adjust to life in the Championship, especially adapting to a very specific style of playing under Michael Carrick, but he was trusted to start the first four games. Fans could see the raw talent and potential, and although he netted in the defeat against West Bromwich Albion, he missed a few very presentable opportunities in other games, that unfortunately came at a time when Boro couldn’t buy a win.
Hitting form
He was taken out of the firing line for subsequent league matches but still played in the club’s strong Carabao Cup run. He has continued to develop and aswell as two goals in the cup, he scored a ridiculous solo goal from the substitutes bench against Cardiff City, running almost the full length of the pitch, cutting inside, momentarily losing his footing, only to regain composure and slot it into the far corner of the net.
Starting the last three matches, and scoring twice in the recent encounter with Leeds, Latte Lath is hitting form and looking more and more like the player fans thought they were getting when he was announced in the summer. He is reading midfield passes much better, holding up play more successfully, and finding the right spaces to occupy in attack.
The goal against Leeds typified the kind of threat he possesses. A ball was fed down the left channel, the Ivorian ran in behind to beat the full back to the ball comfortably, checked inside onto his right foot, and unleashed a ferocious drive high into the net at the near post, with the keeper unable to react in time to do anything about it.
Latte Lath’s impressive statistics
Michael Carrick has always maintained that the club will have to take care of Josh Coburn and manage his development, that means alternating between the two central strikers at the club. The fact that they possess such different qualities also helps when assessing the opposition and what is needed to combat particular styles. In fact Carrick has said in previous interviews that there may be occasions where their opposing styles could compliment each other enough to play them together if the situation warrants it.
Middlesbrough are starting to see just how effective Emannuel Latte Lath can be at stretching the opposition and hitting the target. In fact, according to stats website FOTMOB only two players have more shots on target per 90 minutes, with the Ivorian recording on average 2.2 shots on target per game. Only Leeds’ Patrick Bamford and Ipswich’s Freddie Ladapo have had more.
He goal scoring stats so far this season also make for decent reading, scoring 6 goals overall in 16 appearances, starting in only 10 of those 16 appearances.
If Middlesbrough can continue to utilise those natural attributes; the explosive pace and power, the finishing ability and the surprisingly good aerial prowess, then Latte Lath could have a very strong season and play a key part in the club’s promotion-chasing campaign.
There will be times when the 24-year-old will need support and a bit of faith, but at Boro, chances will come, if he takes them regularly, then Championship rivals should be on watch.