Middlesbrough FC: Costly Burnley, Leeds moments could trigger Michael Carrick change | OneFootball

Seny Dieng has made some costly errors in recent games for Middlesbrough, and that could see Carrick hand the gloves back to Sol Brynn...

Self-inflicted wounds have cost Middlesbrough goals and precious points in recent outings against Burnley and Leeds United, and that could prompt Boro boss Michael Carrick to make a key personnel change.

The Teessiders are hoping that 2024/25 will finally be the year that they can get over the promotion hurdle and retake their place in the Premier League for 2025.

Over recent transfer windows, Carrick, paired with a recruitment team fronted by head of football Kieran Scott, have filled Middlesbrough's playing squad with talented players and sellable assets, and as such, optimism is rife on Teesside that they have a team that is capable of achieving top-flight football.

However, inconsistent performances and individual mistakes have ensured that it's been a frustratingly hot and cold start to the campaign, and at Elland Road on Tuesday night, Middlesbrough went well and truly off the boil.

There is one player who has seen errors creep into his game in the last two league outings against the Clarets and the Whites, however, and as a result, he might be giving Carrick food for thought over a potential change in the near future.

Seny Dieng hasn't covered himself in glory and could lose place in Middlesbrough side

Senegalese international Seny Dieng has been Carrick's number one goalkeeper since his move to the Riverside in July 2023 and has been solid enough in that role despite never really being among the elite group of Championship goalkeepers.

There have been mistakes along the way but the 30-year-old has also pulled off some brilliant saves in a Middlesbrough shirt, as well as evidencing the ability to play out from the back with his feet - a requirement for a Boro goalkeeper under Carrick.

However, his previous two displays against Burnley and Leeds United have seen the former QPR keeper make some costly errors, with seemingly growing sections of the fanbase unsure of whether he should be between the sticks for much longer.

At Turf Moor, Middlesbrough had taken the lead on 13 minutes through Anfernee Dijksteel, and come the 37 minute, Boro were looking to ride out the physical and metaphorical storm to see them into the break a goal to the good.

All of a sudden, former Boro defender Connor Roberts found the ball in space on the edge of the box and swung a hopeful left boot at the ball. His effort clearly caught Dieng by surprise, as he found himself some way off his line, and despite throwing up a desperate arm, he could only watch the ball loop over him and into the net.

In the following game away at Leeds on Tuesday evening, Dan James was able to find himself in acres of space down the right and whipped a low cross into the box that took a flick off the boot of Matt Clarke and was then flicked towards goal by the boot of George Edmundson.

Dieng was able to make an initial block, but with the ball at his feet, he opted to try and clear the ball from danger rather than making an attempt to jump on top of the loose ball, which ultimately saw his attempted clearance hit the leg of Wilfried Gnonto and bounce into the net.

He was unable to do much to prevent James' well-hit strike on 74 minutes that saw Daniel Farke's side take a 2-1 lead but he will perhaps feel as if he could've done more to stop Brenden Aaronson from making it 3-1 in added time.

Boro got themselves into a mess after an ill-advised pass from Edmundson saw Leeds win the ball high up the pitch with numbers in attack. James picked out Ao Tanaka in space inside the box, but Dieng did have time to close the gap between him and the Japanese midfielder.

However, he couldn't find a way to intercept Tanaka's square ball to Aaronson, who rolled it into the empty net.

Sol Brynn has impressed and will be banging on Michael Carrick's door to replace Dieng

It hasn't all been Dieng in the Middlesbrough goal this season though, as whilst he recovered from an illness that was sweeping the Boro camp, Sol Brynn was handed the opportunity to enter the starting lineup.

The 24-year-old is a product of Middlesbrough's academy and has been patiently waiting for his big Boro breakthrough for a number of years. In that time, he's impressed whilst on loan with Scottish side Queen of the South, Swindon Town and Leyton Orient respectively.

In the three games between 23-30 November against Oxford United, Blackburn Rovers, and Hull City respectively, Brynn performed admirably between the sticks and had many Boro supporters calling for him to remain the starting goalkeeper even when Dieng was deemed fit to return.

Those voices will only be sure to grow louder following Dieng's last two performances, as Dieng's position as the number one goalkeeper is under the biggest amount of threat since he arrived in the North East.

Saturday's team selection will be fascinating from Carrick when Boro welcome Millwall to the Riverside. Will the Middlesbrough boss stick with his underfire yet historical number one? Or has he seen enough to hand the gloves back to Brynn?