Middlesbrough look to have solved 2024/25 problem based on Luton Town thrashing | OneFootball

Taking their chances has been one of the big problems in Boro's season so far, but a 5-1 win over the Hatters suggests it may have been fixed.

Middlesbrough signed off for the November international break in some style with a 5-1 routing of Luton Town at the Riverside Stadium.

Two goals for Delano Burgzorg and Finn Azaz and one for Emmanuel Latte Lath ensured it would be a memorable afternoon on Teesside for Michael Carrick's side, as Boro's quality at both ends of the pitch was on full display.

Taking their chances has been a major problem for Middlesbrough so far this season though, and as such, they've perhaps been on the wrong end of a number of results due to not being able to punish teams with the number of openings they created.

It was threatening to become the frustrating story of their season, but after dispatching four goals past Queens Park Rangers prior to their 5-1 victory over the Hatters, Boro may just have fixed that problem.

Boro show they're a top side when at their ruthless best

Despite knowing that they were a better side than what their league position has shown at times this season, Boro had largely been beating themselves due to their wastefulness in front of goal, as well as conceding their fair share of soft goals in defense.

Two fixtures which have been prime examples of this were Portsmouth and Derby County. Boro drew 2-2 with Pompey at the Riverside on 24 August, despite recording 70 per cent possession, 30 shots, just seven of which were on target.

As for their trip to Pride Park, Middlesbrough lost 1-0 to Derby the week before that draw with Portsmouth, as yet again they dominated possession (71 per cent), fielded 20 shots, and yet just four of those were on target.

Compare those figures to their last two wins over QPR and Luton Town, and the improvement is evident. Despite recording just 55 per cent possession against QPR, Carrick's side registered 12 shots, with eight of those being on target and four goals scored.

Against Luton, Boro once again just scraped the possession battle with 52 per cent, whilst recording 11 shots with six on target, five of which ended up in the back of the Hatters net (all stats per FotMob)

That ruthlessness in front of goal is why frustration levels have been so high for everyone connected with the club, as it's been clear that the performance levels have largely been there this season, but now Boro are beginning to look like the team which many expected them to be.

Ben Doak has sharpened Boro's cutting edge significantly

It's also been no coincidence that Middlesbrough's improved attacking displays have largely come in the games in which Liverpool loanee Ben Doak has been in the starting XI.

The 19-year-old Scotland international has been a revelation for Boro since coming into the starting lineup on a permanent basis in late September, and he's fast becoming one of the most talked about talents in the Championship.

Speed, skill, dribbling, directness, flair and a real unselfishness about his play, Doak appears to have all the tools you'd want in a young winger.

Whether it's been via breathtaking solo runs down the pitch, peeling off the shoulder of his full-back and racing into the box, or flashing his footballing intelligence to take up clever positions, the teenager has been providing goals in an abundance of ways.

He must be a dream to play with for Boro's forward players, and there's no doubt whatsoever that his form is going to be essential to Middlesbrough's chances of winning promotion to the Premier League this season.

Carrick's side sure to become real contenders if they can find consistency

Having lost just once in their last five Championship outings, Carrick appears to have found a recipe for success, now he and his players must stick to it.

Consistency is key in the second tier, and Boro can't afford to be flipping and flopping from wins, draws and defeats like they had been during the opening weeks of the season.

Middlesbrough need to settle into this winning rhythm they've found, as a tough December schedule awaits the Teessiders. Boro play Burnley twice, Leeds away, Millwall at home, Plymouth away and Sheffield Wednesday at home.

As such, their first three games after the resumption of the Championship this month will offer up a potentially vital nine points. Boro's next three are against Oxford, Blackburn and Hull respectively.

They'll no doubt be confident of taking maximum points from all three of those fixtures, which would mean they'd go into December's grueling and possibly vital schedule full of confidence and momentum.

Everyone associated with Middlesbrough knows they can do it, they've seen how talented a side Carrick has, and they've proven they can look as good as anyone in the Championship when at their best. Now they must keep building on their improved performances.