The first half against Sheffield Wednesday showcased exactly why Middlesbrough should be dominating the Championship and steamrolling their way to automatic promotion this season. But the second half? That was a masterclass in self-destruction and inconsistency, and it’s why Boro are floundering in mediocrity instead of soaring at the top.
The contrast is staggering: one half of brilliance, the other of baffling ineptitude. And this frustrating duality perfectly encapsulates why Boro are underachieving so miserably as they find themselves outside the play-off places at the midway point of the season. After 23 games, this team – one that should be breathing down the necks of the league leaders – is closer in points to a floundering Luton Town in 18th than they are to the top two. Let that sink in.
Michael Carrick called it “ridiculous” to rule out automatic promotion, but how else can you assess a side riddled with inconsistency? Boro have managed back-to-back wins just twice all season and have won only one of their last five games. This isn’t promotion form – it’s mid-table mediocrity dressed up as potential.
To have any hope of reaching the magical 90-point mark that usually guarantees promotion, Boro would need to amass 54 points in the second half of the season. For context, Sheffield United and Leeds United have already racked up 48 points apiece in the first half, losing just three games each. How can Boro even dream of closing that gap when they’re leaking points like a sieve?
More pressing is the battle to scrape into the top six. At their current trajectory, Boro are on course for 72 points – a tally that wouldn’t even secure a play-off spot in three of the last five seasons. This was supposed to be the season of no excuses, the campaign where Boro broke free from the cycle of playing catch-up. Instead, it feels like déjà vu – only worse.
The summer optimism now feels painfully misplaced. Carrick was handed a squad capable of competing with the very best in the division. Yet here we are, halfway through the season, trailing rivals Sunderland by eight points – a team that was an absolute shambles just a few months ago. Sunderland, a side that didn’t even appoint a manager until late June, is showing more grit, resilience, and savvy than Boro.
Boro, on the other hand, are a team defined by surrendering leads and throwing points away. A three-goal lead at home to Sheffield Wednesday should be a done deal. Instead, it ended in yet another collapse, another wasted opportunity, and another reason for fans to tear their hair out. It’s not just bad luck – it’s systemic. This team lacks leadership, composure, and the defensive solidity required to see games out.
Consider the wider context: Plymouth, a team in freefall, managed to claw a point from Boro, the only point they’ve earned in their last six games. Meanwhile, Sunderland have repeatedly turned deficits into points, showing the kind of fight and tenacity that Boro seem allergic to.
Carrick’s post-match comments reeked of frustration and resignation: “We can’t keep wasting opportunities.” But that’s exactly what they keep doing. Week after week, the same mistakes are repeated. The defense is a mess, the game management is nonexistent, and the team looks naive in moments that demand control and experience.
This season can still end in glory. This squad has the potential to be one of the best in the Championship. But potential doesn’t win promotions. Consistency, discipline, and resilience do – and right now, Boro are miles away from demonstrating those qualities. Unless something drastic changes, this season of promise could unravel into yet another year of frustration and regret.
