If Middlesbrough wants to make the playoffs this year, they must be consistent. They have a game in hand but are now 11 points off of the top six in 13th position.
The weekend saw Middlesbrough lose to notoriously bad traveling team Plymouth Argyle for the third time in their past four Championship fixtures. At the Riverside, they were ultimately outscored, outfought, and outplayed.
Their inability to register even a single shot on target during the game will be one of their biggest worries. The Pilgrims’ unwavering defense severely limited their opportunities, and they lacked any kind of inventive spark.
Although Boro has a long list of injured players, more than most of them will need to return to the starting lineup as soon as feasible.
Why Isaiah Jones is key
It is evident that Middlesbrough lacks directness and pace without both striker Emmanuel Latte Lath and Isaiah Jones. Although their full-backs are skilled with the ball and able to create overlapping runs, they may not have the quickness to pose a serious threat to opposing defenses when they have the ball in their hands or are able to get in behind them.
Playing Riley McGree, Lewis O’Brien, or Marcus Forss in wide areas may increase possession figures, but in the end, they are playing out of position and aren’t natural wide players. Similarly, their midfield looks quite cumbersome and plodding without Hayden Hackney. However, Jones is.
During the course of the last five games, the 24-year-old’s injury absence has undoubtedly been felt by them. Regaining his fitness could be Middlesbrough’s only hope of making the playoffs at the conclusion of the season because of his unique combination of direct running, dribbling, crosses, creating chances, and tracking back.
Given that Jones is a few weeks away from making a comeback, head coach Michael Carrick expects him to be available for the final ten games of the season for the team. If they want to close the gap between themselves in 13th position in the table and a spot in the top six, they will need him to be healthy and productive.
