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FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit has given his verdict on the team's worrying run of form

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Middlesbrough lost their grip on first place in the Championship last weekend due to a 1-0 loss to Portsmouth.

Yang Min-hyeck’s first half strike was enough to sink Rob Edwards’ side, who suffered their first defeat of the campaign.

Boro have earned 18 points from their opening nine fixtures, and still sit inside the automatic promotion places, but have now only won one of their last five fixtures.

The Teesside outfit began the season by winning their first four games, but have struggled for results since returning from the September international break.

Middlesbrough will need to turn things around quickly, or else they risk falling out of the top two, and maybe even the top six.

Key Middlesbrough worry amid poor run of form

When asked about the team’s run of form, FLW’s Middlesbrough fan pundit Liam Day claimed that he is worried, particularly because of their underwhelming attacking efforts.

He highlighted their solid defensive performances, but suggested that Edwards has yet to figure out his best attack and that this is causing their poor form.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a bit worrying,” Day told Football League World.

“But, if I’m honest, I think it’s just a situation of we’ve had a really tough run of games, and it was always going to happen.

“We’re not losing, and I think that’s the main positive.

“Obviously, we lost [Saturday] for the first time and that was really disappointing.

“We were terrible I thought, and it wasn’t good enough.

“Going forward is what’s worrying me, we are good defensively and that’s what a lot of teams need to be to go up, so I think we’ve got that part right.

“But going forward, we’ve been really, really poor and it’s quite clear that Edwards just doesn’t know his best front three.”

Day believes that Middlesbrough will struggle if these attacking issues aren’t resolved soon, highlighting the club’s record of having the second worst expected goals (xG) tally in the entire division: “I think he needs to get it fixed quite quickly or we will struggle.

“Ipswich straight after the international break is going to be a tough one, and it is a bit worrying.

“I do think he will find it, and if this is how we’re playing when we’ve not clicked, and when we do hopefully, eventually click we should be alright.

“But being 23rd in the xG table is worrying, it does need to improve quite quickly.”

Middlesbrough have drawn with Southampton, Stoke City and Preston North End in this difficult run of results, as well as earning victory over West Brom.

This has left them with 18 points from 27 going into the October international break, a point behind leaders Coventry City.

Next up for Edwards’ side will be a home clash against Ipswich Town on 17 October in the first game back from the current international period.

Middlesbrough’s attack isn’t doing enough

Middlesbrough have been strong defensively, which has made them quite difficult to defeat, which has in turn helped them pick up points while not playing at their best.

That is valuable at this stage of the season, especially under a new manager and with a lot of new players in their forward line.

But Edwards needs to land on his preferred front three quickly, as that is what will help build chemistry and confidence among the squad.