Middlesbrough have three games remaining of the Championship season, with little left to play for after their score draw at Ipswich Town.
Unfortunately for the Boro faithful, Michael Carrick‘s side look set to remain in the second tier for at least another year.
They currently reside in ninth place, eight points adrift of sixth-placed Norwich City with only nine points left to play for.
Despite a brilliant run of form in recent weeks, Middlesbrough haven’t been able to recover from their early season woes which have ultimately cost them a play-offs campaign.
With that said, Carrick must play one ace more often, as he’s not started enough games this term.
Daniel Barlaser should start more for Middlesbrough
Daniel Barlaser has started 25 of the 43 Championship games this season.
The 27-year-old should’ve started a lot more, though, as he an integral cog in how Boro build out from the back and from midfield.
As per Fotmob, Barlaser has averaged the most accurate passes (70.2) per 90 in the entire squad, which evinces just how assured he is on the ball.
There are few better than him in possession at the Riverside outfit, so if Middlesbrough are to become more of a dominant side next term, he needs to become a fixture of the starting line-up.
Michael Carrick needs to assess his squad ahead of summer transfer window
Whilst there is little riding on these final few games, it will still be a vital period for Carrick to assess where he needs to strengthen and perhaps who he’d be happy to move on.
Barlaser, as alluded to, is a crucial player to keep ahold of this summer, as is top scorer Emmanuel Latte Lath, who has netted an impressive 14 goals across all competitions.
Seny Dieng has been linked with a move away recently, so it’s vital Boro chiefs reject any forthcoming offers for their shot-stopper.
If Boro are to realise their hopes of promotion back to the Premier League, they must back Carrick and reject offers for their top talent, unlike in recent windows.
A massive summer awaits the Teesside outfit as they look to build a squad capable of achieving a play-off finish next term, at the very least.
They certainly have a manager capable of achieving such a feat, he just needs to be given the suitable tools.