4. Natural leaders
Guidance can help a club strive in this league, and it is those players that will get you over the line. Middlesbrough have experience and leadership in abundance, with plenty who can take control, direct their team mates and grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
Club-Captain Grant Leadbitter lifted the EFL Championship runners-up trophy in 2015-16 alongside then-Manager Aitor Karanka. He remains a mainstay in the centre of midfield, and is the first name on the team sheet due to the way he commands his team on the pitch.
Equally Ben Gibson and George Friend have been recognised as having similar qualities to the skipper, and have worn the captain’s armband in this campaign. It is promising for Middlesbrough that they have this at their disposal, and the clear heads of these individuals will only help the younger more inexperienced members of the squad.
5. The Adama Traore factor
Last but by no means least, Adama Traore. The Spaniard has set the world alight under Tony Pulis’ guidance, and although he was regarded as a lost cause by many coaches before him, it is the Welshman who has managed to get the best out of the former-Barcelona winger.
He has completed more dribbles than any player in the entire EFL Championship so far this season, and has the highest success rate too. He is the only player to get into triple figures for dribbles completed with 141; second is QPR’s Luke Freeman with 98.
His assist for Bamford’s second against Leeds was typical-Traore. He turned defence into attack in seconds, picking up the ball on the edge of his box before breaking through one, then two, then three challenges before releasing a through-ball for Bamford to finish.
On his day Traore is one of the best in the Championship, he is able to unlock any defence, and create chances from absolutely nothing. He is a fan-favourite who gets everyone on the edge of their seats as soon as the ball arrives at his feet. He will be Boro’s key man if or when they achieve their play-off dream.
