Middlesbrough must take a key next step after passing huge mentality test at QPR

Middlesbrough passed a huge mentality test against QPR, with Michael Carrick hoping their 4-1 victory at QPR can have bigger implications for the season as a whole.

Riley McGree, Tommy Conway, Emmanuel Latte Lath and Dan Barlaser grabbed the goals as Boro claimed an important three points to move up to seventh in the Championship table ahead of Wednesday's game. It was an important victory, as Carrick's side quickly rebounded from Saturday's loss.

After a big win, they return from the capital to quickly turn attentions to Saturday when they host Luton Town at the Riverside with a great opportunity to go into the international break in far better mood. Here are the main talking points from the QPR win.

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Passing a big mentality test

Despite what the result suggests, this wasn't an easy a victory as it looks. QPR made Boro work hard for it - or rather Boro made themselves work hard for it. Having got themselves two-nil up with two goals in four minutes after a 30-minute period of patient control in the game, Boro certainly let their grip on the contest slip.

QPR's fightback was given real hope when Anfernee Dijksteel unfortunately turned the ball into his own net and, after recent away collapses that saw Boro surrender leads at both Watford and Norwich, there was understandable anxiety as the home side pushed hard for an equaliser.

It would be a push to say Boro passed the test with flying colours to get over the line. A better team might have punished them as their management of their slender lead was left wanting at times. Sloppy passes out of defence only offered the buoyant hosts further encouragement.

Nevertheless, with the help of Latte Lath's spark off the bench, Boro did manage to get over the line. And that could prove crucial for Boro in the bigger picture. Had QPR managed to get something from the game, that would have been three consecutive away games of throwing away leads and suddenly you have a whole new problem and question marks over your mentality and character.

It's fair to say Boro will still have to manage future games far better than they did this one. That said, they did get over the line and that can hopefully do wonders for their belief, while also just removing that element of anxiety that will be natural if such a trend continues. It was an important test to pass.

Seny Dieng's big night

On his return to Loftus Road, Seny Dieng had a big night for Boro. QPR boss Marti Cifuentes described him as 'brilliant' after the game, as he made three particularly big saves in the final ten minutes of the first half which, in the context of the second half, were even more important than they already appeared at the time.

It was a timely big night for the Boro keeper who has had question marks surrounding him of late. While very few goals Boro have conceded have been ones that you'd necessarily even expect him to do better with, the fact he had the worst save percentage in the Championship was often brought up by his detractors.

Answering his critics emphatically, however, he proved his shot-stopping credentials at his old home, while also collecting a few crosses at an important time in the game too. As if often the case, there were one or two questionable balls played out, though it's always important to add the caveat that it is what he's asked to do.

Hayden Hackney was missed

It might sound crazy in a game that Boro scored four goals in, especially when considering midfield pair Aidan Morris and Jonny Howson did little wrong in the game, but Hayden Hackney - who missed the game through suspension - was missed.

While Boro enjoyed an early control in the game, they ultimately struggled to break down QPR and weren't as clean or crisp with their passing as they can be. While both Morris and Howson did little wrong in the game, neither were able to really drive Boro forward while running with the ball, or with positive forward passes that Hackney so often provides Boro. Both more defensive-minded, they just didn't quite have the right balance and blend that Hackney playing alongside either of the pair has.

Now they must take the next step

Far too often this season we've referenced Boro's inconsistency. They've won back-to-back league games just once all season and that ultimately explains why, currently, they're on the outside looking in as far as their top-six aspirations are concerned.

They have an opportunity, however, on Saturday to win consecutive games and head into the international break in far better mood - and potentially even in the top-six. Performances this season in general have warranted far more points than Boro have ultimately won. But, as discussed often, the main reasons they don't have more is largely their own doing.

In recent weeks, things have started to feel like they're coming together more, but Boro haven't yet removed that bad habit of finding ways not to win games - particularly at home. Luton are the visitors on Saturday and despite having a good side who last season competed in the Premier League, they've had a poor start to the season. Boro must be ruthless once more and claim another big win. It's part of that next-step challenge Carrick set them a couple of weeks ago as they seek improved results to climb the table and establish themselves as legitimate contenders.