Latte Lath makes you wonder & two Middlesbrough summer decisions increasingly obvious

CAST your mind back to Middlesbrough's Carabao Cup ties against Port Vale and the semi-final first leg against Chelsea and think not about the victories but the injury setbacks.

At half-time at Vale Park back in December, Emmanuel Latte Lath was forced off with a hamstring problem. He wouldn't play again until Mauricio Pochettino's side visited the Riverside almost a month later - and the striker lasted just five minutes before suffering an ankle injury. Another month on the sidelines followed.

Looking back, you can't help but wonder just where Middlesbrough would find themselves now in the Championship play-off picture had Latte Lath been fit and available for the last four months.

In his absence, Carrick's side didn't fare terribly, winning four of their 10 league games. But without an orthodox striker fit at the time, the head coach was having to mend and make-do. And Latte Lath was just showing signs of really finding his feet before his lay-offs. In his first 12 league games for Boro, the Ivorian managed just two goals. In his following 13 Championship outings, he's hit the net on eight occasions - including five in his last seven.

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How he deserved his standing ovation when he was withdrawn late on at the Riverside on Saturday after his brace had lit up an otherwise drab affair against Swansea. His new chant was the soundtrack in the stands to the victory - Boro's fifth in their last seven games - and even if a Latte Lath inspired side fall short in their bid to reach the top six, this has been an encouraging first season in England for the striker and the signs for the future - for next term - are undoubtedly positive.

But Carrick's focus is on the here and now and the head coach - usually reluctant to speak about individuals - wasn't at all afraid to talk up the importance of his number nine as a decisive trio of fixtures looms, starting at Hull City on Wednesday.

"Manu is coming into form and hopefully that carries on in the next few games," he said.

"When you're on that run you want to keep surfing it. He's definitely doing that. We have two or three challenging games coming up, we'll need that impact player around the box."

Latte Lath was given a helping hand by Swansea's statuesque defence for his first on Saturday, the first to pounce on a loose ball and allowed to wriggle into space before squeezing his shot into the corner. His second was lashed, a fine finish.

"That's a left foot, a right foot, a header against Southampton, he's showing he can score a variety of goals," said Carrick.

"That composure and confidence, both goals he took time and didn't snatch at it. He had a chance early on and didn't snatch at the next one, he created it for himself.

"He's had a big impact, he's had a good return and hopefully there's a few more in him. Sometimes you need to let players get used to their surroundings and the league. He's proved over the course of the season, even though it's been stop start, that he's adapting and making the best of it."

Latte Lath provided the spark on Saturday but equally as important was the solidity at the other end. Boro's defensive transformation has been quite remarkable. Two clean sheets in 17 league games has been followed by five shut-outs in the last six.

Matt Clarke has played his way into Player of the Year contention given what went before, Leeds United loanee Luke Ayling is surely playing his way to a permanent deal and Jonny Howson a new contract. And Boro are further strengthened by the return to the fitness of Rav van den Berg and Hayden Hackney, both unused substitutes on Saturday.

Is a top six finish asking just a bit too much? Maybe. Then again, If Latte Lath and the Boro defenders continue in their current form, maybe not...