With the Teeside army closing in on automatic promotion, Football League World writer Conor McGilligan takes a closer look at the more influential members of the Boro outfit.

Middlesbrough were relegated on the back of a dire campaign during the 2008/9 season.

After numerous attempts at reaching the promised land once again and after a disastrous trip to Wembley at the back of last season, Karanka's side look like the favourites to pull off promotion in a narrow, tight race for the golden prize.

A strong season has involved many highs with big Championship victories over Derby, Brighton and Hull to name a few.

Karanka has put together a side with fluency, experience and most of all quality, this comes with strong additions such as Stuani, Downing and especially talisman Jordan Rhodes.

However, there have also been lows which have meant that the runaway leaders at one point have been completely pegged back by Burnley and Brighton, in particular a poor run in March and August.

One recent performance that stood out for myself was the recent 3-2 win against QPR at Loftus Road.

The fluency and speed of play was something different to what we are used to seeing from this Boro side, usually so conservative, so strong, with the likes of George Friend and Ben Gibson manning the defence.

Karanka had sent his team out with a purpose, to win. Boro known for their defensive stability were undone, but at the same time, they created so much.

For the first time this season Karanka has dropped his defensive laurels and sent the Boro squad out with freedom, they looked untouchable and quite honestly fantastic.

With Boro looking to end the season strongly, FLW Conor McGilligan personally thinks that Boro can do it, and here are THREE players to bring the northern side back to the top-flight....

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE THREE KEY PLAYERS!

Middlesbrough

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Christian Stuani

Christian Stuani

 

The striker has had a superb first season in English football, with many tipping him for Boro's player of the year.

The 29- year-old Uruguayan has hit dizzy heights in the Championship, causing havoc for defences with his brute strength, assists and 10 goals in all competitions.

Last season the veteran bagged a solid 12 goals in La Liga for Espanyol but took the cut to the Championship due to sheer persuasion and encouragement from Boro's long term plan.

The man has been rampant, his long range efforts, arial ability and tackles have given Boro a new dynamic upfront, his counterpart Luis Suarez shows very similar capabilities to Stuani as he brushes defenders aside with ease and resolves impossible situations, Karanka is full of praise and understands his quality and purpose in this Boro side.

His aggressive nature has been evident and shows why he is perfect for the Premier League, his physicality in certain performances have been evident, such as when they played a low on confidence Brentford then Leeds United side where Stuani bullied and completely ran the show, scoring in both fixtures and being a key figure.

Stuani will be a key player for the remaining games, some criticise Karanka for not playing him as an out an out Centre Forward, however if the boss gets it right, the South American will could lead the Teesiders to glory in the remainder of the games.

 

Jordan Rhodes

 

Jordan RhodesJordan Rhodes

The apex predator has been nothing short of an assassin in his time in the Championship.

His goals for Huddersfield and Blackburn have made him one of the most sought after talents in the country.

Karanka was given the funds to sign Rhodes and has done it on a permanent deal, the striker is already their joint fourth top scorer with 5 and is close on top scorer Stuani's case.

At only 26, he has his best years ahead of him.

Rhodes will be a hero if he can end Boro's 7 year stay in the division.

With 3 games left the newboy is more than capable and is expected to bag the goals for the remainder of the season.

Rhodes is an asset that not many teams have, a 2o a season goalscorer, proving it wherever he has gone and i'm sure he can follow in the footsteps of Calum Wilson and even Jamie Vardy IF and WHEN he makes the transition from the Football League to the promised land.

Ben Gibson

gibsonnn

 

The Boro boy is a born leader, his acquisition from the prosperous and superb Teeside academy has been one of Karanka's shrewdest.

The England u21 star is the nephew of well thought of owner Steve Gibson, Ben has therefore seen the ups and downs of his beloved Boro, crashing out of the UEFA cup final, then the Premier League, to the highs of seeing greats enter his club via his uncle, Mendieta and Juninho to name a few.

The Championship race looks like the closest it has been in years, with each of the top three deadlocked on 87 points.

Boro need passion and defensive solidarity which is what the youngster provides, he understands the club inside out, the fans, the academy, the family that Boro prides itself on.

The importance of Gibson in these final games will be crucial, his leadership are all the perfect ingredients to push Boro over that final line,ahead of the rest.

What do you think Boro fans? Do you agree with the list? If not comment your thoughts below!