Middlesbrough have endured a torrid 2020 so far.

The Teessiders are without a win in eight Championship fixtures and that has seen them plummet down the table and on the cusp of an unwelcome relegation battle.

Jonathan Woodgate's side are now just three points above the drop zone as the misfiring Reds struggle for form and results - something that could prove to be costly.

A large part of the problem is an inability to get the best out of Middlesbrough's key players.

While some have thrived under Woodgate, others have fallen well below expectations in their performance levels this term, with Middlesbrough's system not playing to their strengths.

Here are two of the players who could be better suited to playing football for another club.

Ravel Morrison

He's only featured on two occasions for Middlesbrough so far, but you can't help but feel that the Teessiders aren't playing to his strengths.

Morrison is an out-and-out flair player who thrives on being trusted to create something out of nothing in the final third of the pitch.

Given Middlesbrough's battle to avoid the drop it's difficult to see Morrison being given the platform to do his thing - something which he's more likely to get in a side more tailored to a free-flowing attacking style.

Do you know where Middlesbrough signed these players from? Have a go!

 

Britt Assombalonga

He's been Middlesbrough's top scorer in recent seasons, but the jury is still out on the striker's all-round contribution.

Assombalonga is a typical poacher who offers very little in terms of build-up play, and that's something which doesn't suit the hard-working style of Jonathan Woodgate's Middlesbrough XI.

There's no doubting that he's a top goalscorer at this level, but perhaps his attributes are better suited to another club.