Middlesbrough had a rather muted end to the transfer window after a scintillating start which looked like pushing them into the realms of title favourites.

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Following Paddy McNair and Aden Flint's arrivals, the only way seemed to be forward for Tony Pulis.

Even when Bamford, Gibson and Traore were sold, the feeling was one of overwhelming positivity.

Then, Thursday came and went without any major deals and that ended the good vibes in one swoop.

Now, Pulis is left to scour the loan market to patch up the holes in his squad, or to make do with players who maybe otherwise would not have played.

Perhaps the manager is the biggest loser in the midst of all this, he's under pressure to get them back on track but hasn't been able to recruit as he might have liked.

FLW look at the other winners and losers, those from the playing staff, after this summer's business for Boro.

Assombalonga looked a certainty to depart the Riverside this summer especially given his rather public fall out with Tony Pulis.

Nottingham Forest and Leeds looked set to battle for his signature, but nothing happened. He's now stuck in the north east, making the best of the current situation.

The Dane looked to be out on his ear last season, Pulis came in an immediately farmed him out to France, out of sight and out of mind.

It seemed as though his whole career was under threat, but then Pulis threw him a lifeline. The window has closed and he's gone nowhere, furthermore he's leading scorer in the Championship after two games.

From zero to hero, the struggled to bring in a centre forward has played right into the hands of Martin Braithwaite.

Fletcher's time at Boro hasn't been happy and was linked with moves away on loan. That may still happen of course, the loan window is open until August 31st, but with the squad looking thin it is more likely he'll be kept around as a sub.

For a young player looking to bounce back from last season's disappointment, a place on the bench will simply not be enough to keep him happy.

With Ben Gibson sold and no obvious replacement incoming, Dael Fry might find himself a key part of Boro's plans going forward.

He started the game against Millwall at the weekend, as well as the midweek win against Sheffield United.

That takes his total starts to Boro for 19, but in the absence of any incomers, that is something he's now likely to add significantly to.