It's been a difficult time for Middlesbrough but the 2-2 draw with Queens Park Rangers indicated that a corner could nearly be turned.

Despite having Boro giving away an early lead to go in behind at the break, Jonathan Woodgate will no doubt be happy that his side are showing signs of getting back to what they're truly capable of.

One man who perfectly encapsulates that is Britt Assombalonga.

Going into the clash at Loftus Road, the striker had gone five games without a goal, and only scored one in his previous nine.

But that poor form was put firmly to bed with a brace against Mark Warburton's side.

Britt Assombalonga will be crucial to Middlesbrough's hopes of pulling themselves out of danger, and the hope will be that his goalscoring form will extend beyond the end of the international break.

In our latest FLW Spotlight, we look into Assombalonga’s statistics to assess his crucial display against Queens Park Rangers.

 

The performance put in by Britt Assombalonga was typical of the striker.

The 26-year-old is often criticised for his lack of contribution to Middlesbrough's all-round play, but on this performance it almost doesn't matter.

Assombalonga didn't win any aerial duels or provide any assists, but what he did do perfectly sums up his game.

Two fouls won during the 90 minutes, combined with three occasions that he was caught offside, shows how the frontman is so effective running off the shoulder of the defender and holding up play until his teammates can move up the pitch.

For some, that wouldn't be enough to hold down a place in the starting eleven, but no one can argue how lethal he can be in front of goal.

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Assombalonga had three shots on goal during the clash at Loftus Road, and scored two of them. That's why Middlesbrough broke their club-record transfer fee to sign the striker.

The Teessiders may not dominate play in the majority of games this season, but what Assombalonga has showed is that when he's in form, he is among the the most lethal finishers in the Championship and will give Middlesbrough half a chance of picking up points based on his potency alone.

He's always going to be a player that frustrates supporters due to his lack of of all-round input, but if he can replicate this shots-to-goals ratio in the coming weeks then the Middlesbrough supporters will hardly mind.