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Middlesbrough turn rival fears into reality - and there's an 'even better' warning
IN a matter of weeks, Middlesbrough have gone from firing blanks to terrifying opposition defences and charging up the Championship's goals scored column.
Before and immediately after the October international break, Boro's attacking struggles were proving costly.
For all Michael Carrick was encouraged by displays, his side managed just six goals in seven games between the home draw with Preston in mid-September and the Riverside victory over Sheffield United a month and a bit later.
In that period, they only scored more than a single goal in a game on one occasion. It wasn't that they weren't getting into promising positions and creating chances, they simply paid the price for a lack of cutting edge.
But in the last fortnight or so, things seem to have clicked for Boro going forward.
First Carrick's side hit three goals at Norwich and although that was followed by a blank against Coventry, Boro then fired in four at QPR and five against Luton at the weekend.
After hitting 12 in their last four games, Boro are now third highest scorers in the Championship.
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And what pleases Carrick even more is the fact the goals are being spread out. Against Norwich, QPR and Luton, Tommy Conway, Finn Aaz, Riley McGree Dan Barlaser, Emmanuel Latte Lath and Delano Burgzorg all got on the scoresheet.
Carrick is thrilled but not surprised. Even when his side were struggling to find the net, he always felt it was just a matter of time until things came together in front of goal.
“We’ve had that creativity and build-up for some time now," said the Boro boss.
"Lately the boys have been more ruthless and appear to have a good feeling about scoring goals. And we’re sharing it amongst the group as well, which is great. So in that sense, it doesn’t feel like a massive jump, other than in the actual number of goals.
"I feel a lot of the in between has been good though. I think sometimes that’s just football. It’s why we love it because you can’t always explain or find an answer for why.
"You can have all the best intentions but it just doesn’t quite go for you. Same at the other end. They had moments in the game which, at other times in the season, it’s gone against us. It doesn’t necessarily mean the boys are good players or not good players, it’s just tiny margins.
"You’ve got to keep finding a way to turn them in your favour."
After winning successive games for just the second time this season and on the back of just one defeat in their last four, Boro headed into the international break in seventh but just three points off fourth and with Carrick excited about the weeks ahead.
The trio of fixtures facing Boro after the break - Oxford, Blackburn and Hull - looks to be an opportunity for Carrick's side to kick on again, not that the head coach will take any challenge for granted.
He said: "This week has been a good week for us. We have a break now, freshen up and look to be even better when we come back."
