Middlesbrough are the favourites to win the Championship this season, and it's not difficult to see why when you look at the strength that their squad possess.

The likes of Daniel Ayala, Stewart Downing and David Nugent are picked out as the Boro's most important players and rightly so, they are the players that arguably have the most quality in Aitor Karanka's side.

However there are a number of players that don't get the credit that they deserve despite playing an important part in the Teessider's promotion push.

Boro have strength in depth and when their best players are unavailable, they have players who are more than capable of stepping in for them, but they are underrated due to the pedigree of some of their team mates.

Here are Middlesbrough's FIVE most underrated players.....

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS!

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Adam Forshaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 24-year old arrived at the Riverside in January, after a less than impressive spell at Wigan, who he had only joined the summer before.

Forshaw has been impressive in his games for the club but he hasn't been able to earn a regular starting position in the side, due to Adam Clayton and captain Grant Leadbitter occupying the two defensive midfield positions in Aitor Karanka's 4-2-3-1 formation.

He is arguably one of the most underrated players in the Boro squad because of his struggles to establish himself in the starting XI.

Emilio Nsue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Nsue joined Boro last summer, its fair to say that most didn't know what to expect, but in his appearances for the club last season, he failed to sparkle and some saw him as a weak link in the side.

However, his performances so far this season have been terrific and he has become a key player for the squad.

Although naturally a right winger, Nsue has excelled at right-back and is currently giving Chelsea loanee Tomas Kalas a run for his money.

Fernando Amorebieta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before the Venezuelan moved to England, he was a very highly-rated central defender with Spanish side Athletic Bilbao.

However a move to Fulham just didn't work out for one reason or another for Amorebieta but he is now excelling that The Riverside under Aitor Karanka, a former team mate of his.

Boro are blessed with three in form centre-backs battling for two positions but Amorebieta remains a very underrated player in the squad.

Dimi Konstantopolous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite keeping 20 clean sheets last season, the Greek goalkeeper doesn't seem to be as highly-rated as his stats suggest he should be.

Not the best goalkeeper technically, Konstantopolous - or Dimi as he is known as on Teesside - joined the club as a fourth choice goalkeeper under Tony Mowbray.

However he has established himself as the undisputed number 1 at the club, purely down to his hard work and commanding of his area.

Jonathan Woodgate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A player who had the potential to play at the very top for years is now possibly one of the most underrated players in the Middlesbrough team.

Not necessarily because of his quality on the pitch, no can doubt that the former Real Madrid man has the ability, but rather what he provides off the pitch.

As well playing at the Bernabeau, he played in the Champions League with Newcastle and Leeds as well appearing for his country.

His experience is vital and he has undoubtedly helped Daniel Ayala and Ben Gibson become better defenders due to his presence and willingness to help others.