Middlesbrough have got off to a shaky start under Jonathan Woodgate but there is one man who has caught the eye: Ashley Fletcher.

Woodgate is overseeing a transition at the club, moving away from Tony Pulis' structured formula to a possession-based game in which the forwards are granted more freedom - but so far it is proving difficult to adjust to.

Boro have been difficult to analyse so far. They scored three and conceded three in their opening game which suggested their attack was a strong point, but they then failed to score against Brentford before struggling to break down Crewe.

Defensively they have bought well to add to the likes of Daniel Ayala and Dael Fry, and their two new full-backs should add a new attacking dimension on the flanks.

They also have, in many people's view, one of the best striker's in the division in Britt Assombalonga, but so far he is yet to get firing. He has missed two penalties and his only goal was a result of a goalkeeping error, and his presence as the main striker could be of the detriment of the team.

Fletcher has been the stand-out player for Boro so far. He has two goals and two assists from his two starts, and he completely turned the game around for his side in the Carabao Cup against Crewe.

He seems to be playing with confidence and has added to his game over the summer. He is now a powerful striker full of pace, who is able to run at defenders and cause problems in the opposition penalty area with and without the ball.

The opening goal of the Championship season was trademark Fletcher, getting across his marker to head in at the near post, and if he had the responsibility of being the main man he would no doubt get a lot more than the five goals he recorded last season.

Last campaign he was troubled by injury and was limited to just 14 starts, but now he appears to be back to full fitness and is playing as if he has a point to prove.

By comparison, Assombalonga has scored 15 and 14 league goals respectively in the past two seasons, but he is very much a confidence player. For example, in Boro's last five games last season - when they had nothing to play for- he scored four goals, but prior to that went on a run of 12 games with just one goal scored, of which his team lost seven.

He is therefore inconsistent and though he has the ability, he is more reliant than Fletcher on the service provided to him, which is why Boro will lose matches like Brentford at home.

Despite that, Woodgate's belief in Assombaonga means Fletcher is unlikely to be granted the opportunity of the main role, and unless Woodgate opts for two up front he will be confined to the wing, where he will be held back from displaying the best of what he has to offer.