Middlesbrough have endured a frustrating start to the season, as Jonathan Woodgate attempts to stamp his authority on his side and get the club playing a more attractive brand of football, with Boro managing to win just two of their opening ten league games.

One of Middlesbrough's main issues so far this campaign has been their lack of ability to create and score goals, with Woodgate's side managing to score just ten league goals so far, which is a continuation from the same problem that affected them last term, with Boro scoring just 49 Championship goals, fewer than relegated Rotherham United.

Given Middlesbrough's struggles in front of goal it is perhaps unsurprising that they have been linked with a move to potentially sign an in form forward, in the shape of Bristol Rovers' Jonson Clarke-Harris, with Boro monitoring the 25-year-old ahead of the January transfer window, according to the Bristol Post.

Clarke-Harris has enjoyed an excellent start to the season managing to register seven League 1 goals already so far this term, and he could be the ideal player to come in and help Boro improve their fortunes in front of goal, although as with any potential signing there are risks involved.

Here, we take a look at two reasons why Middlesbrough should make a move for him, and two reasons why they should perhaps be cautious...

PRO: A player full of confidence

Clarke-Harris has been a player transformed since making the move to Britsol Rovers in January 2019 from Coventry City, with the 25-year-old helping to almost single handedly fire his side to safety in League 1 during the second half of the season, with a clutch of vital goals in crucial matches, and even earning the League 1 Player of the Month award for March after scoring eight goals alone in that period.

The forward has carried that form into this season, and his seven league goals already highlight that he is a player playing with full confidence and belief that he can score against any opposition, which is something Middlesbrough could benefit from as they look to improve their form in front of goal as the season progresses.

Clarke-Harris is the type of player that needs to be fully believed in and if he feels wanted his confidence allows him to perform to a very high level, and he could be the ideal player to come in and lift the levels of Boro's other players and get them playing with a similar level of belief.

PRO: Taking some of the pressure off Britt Assombalonga

Middlesbrough have been reliant on Assombalonga to be the player to score them their goals to earn vital points, with the 26-year-old scoring three of Boro's ten league goals so far this term, but despite averaging 2.2 shots per game, according to whoscored, he has found service somewhat limited at times throughout the opening weeks of the campaign.

The pressure that is on Assombalonga's shoulders to score Middlesbrough's goals will make it difficult for the forward to play with the freedom and confidence when he is presented with opportunities, as the 26-year-old will be aware that he might not get another chance if he fails to find the net and so become too tense.

Clarke-Harris could therefore be the ideal player to take some pressure of striker and provide opposition defenders with another player to worry about, meaning they can not focus all their attention on stopping the supply into Assombalonga and instead will have to divide their attention, freeing up space for both players to get chances.

CON: Clarke-Harris' struggles in the Championship previously

Despite his excellent form at Bristol Rovers in League 1, Clarke-Harris has not always produced reliable and consistent form in front of goal, especially during his time in the Championship whilst at Rotherham United, where he managed to score just nine league goals in three seasons between 2014 and 2017.

The 25-year-old at times struggled to make an impact on games in the English second tier, and was guilty of performing at an inconsistent level for the Millers in games where they needed him to step up and make a difference to earn some vital points.

Middlesbrough can not afford to sign a player who might not be able to improve their attacking threat, with Woodgate's side needing any potential addition to come straight in and improve their ability to score goals if they are to climb up the table.

CON: Clarke-Harris' inability to settle

Considering he is just 25, Clarke-Harris has already played for an awful lot of clubs, with the striker having spells with nine different teams in his career so far between 2010 and 2019, which suggests that he could potentially struggle to settle in at certain clubs after joining them.

Clarke-Harris, though, has settled instantly at Bristol Rovers, but that has come after Coventry were willing to allow him leave the club when he still had one-and-a-half-years remaining on the two-year-deal he signed at the beginning of last season, suggesting that the Sky Blues were willing to let him go as he had not managed to settle in to their squad.

Middlesbrough will need any new signing to settle instantly and start producing form consistently if they are going to able to show improvement from the early weeks of the campaign, meaning that signing Clarke-Harris might be a risk for Woodgate's side.