I've watched Middlesbrough all season and wouldn't give up on top two place

Middlesbrough don't need to change anything in their style order to mount a strong promotion challenge - but have to stop sloppy errors at both ends of the pitch costing them points.

Michael Carrick's side signed off for the November international break with two morale-boosting victories, beating QPR 4-1 before last Saturday's 5-1 win over Luton Town. It means they sit in seventh place after 15 games, just seven points behind joint league leaders Sheffield United and Sunderland.

The nature of the Championship this season means any side seems capable of taking points of anyone else, and competition for play-off places is going to be challenging. However, EFL expert Don Goodman feels Boro are on the right track under Carrick, and could yet mount a challenge for the top two, if they cut out errors.

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“Michael Carrick doesn't need to change anything!" Goodman told gamblingzone. "Without hesitation, Middlesbrough's performance levels are some of the best in the Championship. They create some brilliant chances but have struggled to put the ball in the back of the net at times and have dropped points through silly defensive mistakes.

“But what's encouraging is that they've scored nine goals in their last two games and they could have had even more. They've generated the highest XG in the Championship, which shows how well they're playing. They have an XG of 28 but have only scored 23 goals, so they could have had at least five more goals than they currently do.

“I wouldn't be panicking if I was Michael Carrick. They just need to continue taking their chances and eradicate some of the sloppy errors.

“I wouldn't be giving up on an automatic promotion place at all. They've got to get in the top-six, first of all, but at this stage of the season they are playing so well, so there's no way I will rule them out of finishing in the top two. It would take a significant winning run but have they got the ability to do that? Yes, absolutely they have.”

Boro return to action after the international break with a trip to newly-promoted Oxford United before a midweek home game against Blackburn Rovers.