‘New year, new me’... Or not, in the case of Middlesbrough.

Though they managed to grab a late win at Hull City to get off to a winning start in 2025, the New Year did not bring a fresh sense of taking advantage of opportunities as their inconsistency struck again in a frustrating 1-1 draw with Cardiff City. An opportunity to strengthen their top-six aspirations after results elsewhere went there way, it was another warning that Boro show few signs they're going to make this promotion race in anway easier for themselves.

For the second time in a matter of weeks, head coach Michael Carrick was hardly in the mood for defending or protecting his players, as his frustrations at the Boro performance were plain to see. Having taken a lead through Emmanuel Latte Lath in just the 12th minute, it lasted for just ten more. At that point you'd have still backed them to regain their momentum to go on and win after a slow Cardiff start. But a ponderous performance meant Boro couldn’t make 76% possession count for anything more than a point.

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Latte Lath’s early goal appeared to stand them in good stead. Amid plenty of transfer talk surrounding both, Ben Doak beat his full-back with ease before cutting back to the near-post where the Ivorian’s movement and finish was top class to put Boro ahead and move himself to double figures for the campaign.

Boro so often find ways not to win games they should this season though, and when Dael Fry appeared to panic when attempting to clear a ball that was knocked on just before he was about to clear, his readjustment to flick the ball clear didn’t get the ball to safety. Typically, ex-Boro man Calum Chambers - who hadn’t scored for 34 months - profited and fired home his tenth career goal in an emphatic finish.

From there, Boro’s response was far from good enough. Their efforts weren’t helped by a poor refereeing performance that ultimately stopped the game flowing much. And to their credit, Cardiff shut up shop after equalising and ensured they were far less open than they’d looked in the early stages.

Nevertheless, as is too often the case, Boro were predominantly to blame as they failed to re-find their momentum after conceding an equaliser. Too slow for much of the game in their build-up, they made it too easy for the visitors to get ten men behind the ball and leave little space for Carrick’s side to exploit. After similar early-season struggles, Boro had in recent months mostly found a way in games of such ilk. Beyond one headed Latte Lath chance created by lively sub Isaiah Jones, they didn't ever really look convincing.

The one positive is that it wasn’t too costly for Boro. Top-six rivals West Brom, Blackburn Rovers and Watford all dropped points, leaving Boro fifth in the Championship table. It only emphasises the feeling of missed opportunity for Boro.If they are going to achieve a top-six finish this season, they’re certainly going to do it the hard way, based on the evidence of the season so far.

From Dan Barlaser's endless wasted set-pieces to the slow build-up that meant Boro never really looked like scoring a second, there wasn't a lot to like about this performance and it encapsulates so many of the frustrations of this Boro side this season. Surrendering a lead again, this was the sixth time this season they've led in a game and not won. With five draw and one defeat from winning positions, only Norwich City and Preston North End have a worse record.