Positive signs it might have clicked for Middlesbrough as Luton win feels like a big moment

It feels like we've been waiting for Middlesbrough to click for a long time. There are real positive signs heading into the final international break of the calendar year that it finally has.

A 5-1 victory over Luton Town on Saturday - which followed Tuesday's 4-1 victory at QPR - felt like a really big moment in the season for Michael Carrick's side and their promotion aspirations. Just the second time they've won consecutive league games this season, they've really found a clinical edge in front of goal of late.

They've all felt it was coming internally. Actions speak louder than words, though, and in the last two games, Boro have finally given us evidence to believe that pre-season hope and aspirations can be realised as this squad starts to unlock its potential.

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What's even more encouraging is that at QPR and against Luton, it would be fair to argue that Boro have played better this season without the same positive outcome. Against Luton, they managed to avoid a familiar storyline.

With Carrick making four changes for the game, it was the two in attack that raised the biggest eyebrows. Given the need for consistency and the recent promise, taking Tommy Conway and Riley McGree out was understandable from an injury-prevention perspective, but also concerning from a potentially disruptive regard.

There were some signs early on it might have been that. Boro gained a level of control in the early stages of the game but just couldn't find a killer pass or moment to unlock the Luton defence. As the visitors started to grow in the game, they had opportunities and openings to take the lead and undo Boro's positive start. That was the familiar storyline Boro avoided.

Heeding the warning, it suddenly clicked for Boro, and boy, was it entertaining! It rained goals at the Riverside as fans were treated to five varying goals, all of real quality in their own ways.

Of the two attacking changes, Delano Burgzorg was the biggest eyebrow-raiser. His start at Boro has been underwhelming and it was bold of Carrick to start him. The Boro boss explained after that his individualism and unpredictability made him ideal for the game against an opponent who go man for man.

Carrick got the call spot-on as the Dutchman ended the game with two goals. The first was the result of a wonderful set-piece routine, while his second, and Boro's fourth came after unselfish play Emmanuel Latte Lath, who was the second incoming attacking change the Boro boss made.

He justified his return to the team with a wonderful goal of the highest quality. Taking a brilliant Finn Azaz ball down on his chest, he had his back to the goal but turned his defender inside out before finishing with his so-called weaker left foot with aplomb. It was a real wow moment.

As too was much of the work Azaz did on the day. A superb performance from Boro's number ten, as well as his Latte Lath assist, he also took the clever corner for Burgzorg's first and set Latte Lath away for his second. He then added two quality goals of his own, slamming the ball home first-time to make it 3-0 after an excellent Ben Doak run, before rounding off the scoring in some style with a wonderful top-corner finish from the corner-edge of the box.

There was one blight: They conceded another rather self-exposed goal while playing out from the back, costing Seny Dieng a clean sheet. But this was a game in which all the positive work at the other end will be the thing to remember, and deservedly so.

Things really did look to have clicked for a Boro side who, once they got going, absolutely oozed confidence. Luton weren't particularly great, that's fair to say, but the manner in which Boro took them apart offers so much encouragement for the future.

Not wanting to get too carried away, Carrick said after: “I knew and I thought this would be a tough game. Particularly before we scored, that proved to be the case. It was a tough game. At this stage, we don’t really think too much about a bigger picture. We just keep picking up points to be in and around it and see where it takes us.

"We have a break now for the internationals, so we have to go away and make sure we come back ready. It’s the last break until later on in the season, so it makes for a good run of games that almost feels like the season starts now."

Not wanting to downplay the positive feeling though, he added: “I’m really encouraged. Without getting too carried away, I’m really encouraged. The boys should be encouraged, hopefully the supporters are encouraged. What’s next? I can’t predict it. But certainly, where we’re at now, we feel like we’re in a good place.”

It's the right sentiment. It feels like it's clicking for Boro but the only real indicator of that will be if they can continue it after the break. Two games does not completely transform a season, but they certainly can be transformative. Hopefully this does prove the big moment in the season it feels and Boro finally have lift off. If it continues in this manner it's certainly going to be fun!