Eric Paylor

Middlesbrough may need to vary their possession-based tactics when they face Blackburn Rovers, because Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray has extensive knowledge of the club after regularly watching them last season. Mowbray, a former Blackburn manager and Teesside favourite, has returned to Ewood Park and aims to guide Rovers into the Championship play-off places. Blackburn have lost several key players but added Sam Morsy, Moussa Baradji and Jaydon Fevrier, and impressed despite a controversial defeat at Wolves. Middlesbrough enter the match confidently after Will Lankshear's late winner against Lincoln City, with the columnist backing them to finish above Blackburn.

Middlesbrough’s midfield struggled badly in the first half of their Championship opener against Lincoln City, exposing how much the team missed the injured Aidan Morris. Eric Paylor argues that Morris’s return would restore defensive disruption and stability alongside Seb Berhalter. If Morris remains unavailable, Kim Hellberg could use Riley McGree in central midfield, although his defensive suitability is uncertain, or push Adilson Malanda forward while using Ashley Phillips in defense. McGree’s strong second-half impact and Will Lankshear’s winning goal offered encouragement, but Hellberg must address the midfield weaknesses before facing Blackburn Rovers.

Kim Hellberg faces a bigger challenge in his second season with Middlesbrough after adapting well to Championship football and receiving substantial summer transfer backing. New attacking options, midfield reinforcement and additional goalscoring talent should address last season's thin squad and lack of regular scorers. However, defensive depth and concentration remain concerns following Dael Fry's departure, uncertainty over the goalkeeper position and errors against Espanyol. Middlesbrough may need up to two more defenders, while injuries could again expose a shortage of numbers. Hellberg is expected to make a strong start against Wrexham in the Carabao Cup and Lincoln in the Championship.

Middlesbrough have shifted their recruitment strategy away from continental Europe toward English-based players and North American talent after last summer’s European signings largely struggled to adapt to the Championship. The arrivals of Will Lankshear, Kyle Joseph, Myles Peart-Harris and Jeremy Sarmiento are viewed as strengthening the attack with players familiar with English football, while the club’s interest in Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten follows the successful arrival of Aidan Morris. West Ham remain the leading promotion favorites, but uncertainty surrounds Wolves and Burnley after managerial changes, prompting the view that Middlesbrough may represent attractive betting value.

Middlesbrough's arrivals of Will Lankshear, Sebastian Berhalter, Kyle Joseph and Myles Peart-Harris suggest that their summer recruitment is gathering momentum, but the squad remains short in key areas ahead of the new season. Injuries, Alfie Jones's late pre-season start and the departures of Hayden Hackney and Dael Fry increase the pressure to add players who can contribute immediately. Kim Hellberg will use the Wrexham cup tie and the opening fixtures to assess further needs. The column also highlights academy defender Jack Daley's impressive performance against Celtic, along with opportunities for Fin Cartwright and Josh Dede, while warning that future signings must improve on recent recruitment.

Aidan Morris is backed as Middlesbrough's leading candidate for the captaincy following the departures of Dael Fry and Hayden Hackney. His leadership in the dressing room, combative defensive midfield play and steady development since joining from Columbus Crew are cited as evidence that he can take on the armband while helping the club rebuild after missing out on promotion.