Middlesbrough's Alan Browne may have made transfer error - he will find big issue at Teessiders | OneFootball

Alan Browne may struggle for minutes with his new side Middlesbrough

With four wins out of four at the start of the Championship season, Middlesbrough are riding the crest of a wave right now under new manager Rob Edwards - and numerous new signings at the Riverside Stadium late in the transfer window is only going to make things more exciting.

The Teessiders have been very active in the recent transfer window, adding to their modest business earlier on in the summer with some power plays at the end of it.

Sitting pretty at the top of the Championship isn't what fans expected in the early stages of the season, but by completing shrewd business in all areas of the pitch, Boro boss Rob Edwards sure seems to have his side in a great position as the season kicks into full flow.

One of the late additions to Edwards' squad was that of Alan Browne - an experienced midfielder who has racked up 369 Championship appearances over his career for Preston North End and Sunderland, but did not find himself in the plans of Regis Le Bris in the Premier League for the Black Cats.

However, despite having plenty of experience under his belt, the 30-year-old may find it hard to break into Rob Edwards' current starting 11 - and he could even regret the move altogether.

Alan Browne may struggle for minutes at Middlesbrough due to Hayden Hackney, Aidan Morris factor

Browne was brought to the Riverside Stadium this summer with the purpose of adding competition for places in the heart of the midfield.

However, with Boro already having very strong personnel in the middle third of the pitch, game-time for the 30-year-old could come at a premium.

In Rob Edwards' current 3-4-2-1 formation, which may change in the near future with the addition of striker David Strelec,Middlesbrough currently run with a midfield two of Aidan Morris and Hayden Hackey, who have quite simply been faultless as a pairing in their opening four matches when they've played together.

Add Browne to the mix, as well as Abdoulaye Kante and Sverre Nypan, who can also feature deeper, and it will give Edwards a healthy problem when it comes to selection, as he will be able to rotate and keep legs fresh.

As for the number 10 role, Edwards has the luxury of names such as Morgan Whittaker, Dutch recruit Sontje Hansen and Man City loanee Nypan that could fill that spot, as well as Aussie attacking midfielder Riley McGree when recovered from injury.

Browne's himself has played in the 10 before for Preston North End, scoring 12 times in the 2018-19 season in the Championship from that role, but seven years on from that, it will be difficult for the Irishman to get ahead of the current options in that position too.

Browne last season made 23 appearances for the Black Cats, in which he merely scored one goal in his short spell. He has also failed to clock up double digits for goals and assists in the league since the 2018/19 season for Preston, so you'd think he's not a viable option for a more advanced role.

All of it points towards him not being afforded regular game-time whatsoever - there may be a time where injury or suspension in midfield gives Browne a chance and it's one he'd have to take with both hands, but he may be waiting a while.

Another destination could have been a better fit for Alan Browne for more game-time

Browne made the short trip from Sunderland to Middlesbrough this summer, as he stated via the Northern Echo that location was a big reason why the Riverside Stadium was his number one choice.

With a young family in mind who relocated from the Preston area to the North East last year, more upheaval would perhaps not have been the best idea, so from that standpoint, perhaps Browne did make the correct choice for himself.

However, when it comes to actual time on the pitch, it's hard to think that Boro were the best choice on paper for Browne.

Given his Championship experience, you'd have to assume that multiple clubs were keen on the 30-year-old's services on loan due to what he could bring to a team both on the pitch and in the dressing room, and there will surely have been teams who could offer him more regular game-time.

Of course, that is pure speculation that other clubs would've been keen on Browne, and it will be interesting to see what happens in the next few months, as with how it's currently going at Boro, there's no need for Edwards to make radical, or even small tweaks to his starting 11 given how well things are going in his new job.