Middlesbrough were most people's picks for automatic promotion, with many observers, myself included, expecting them to scoop the Championship crown in the process.

However, it isn't working out that way for Garry Monk's men who sit eleventh in the league table with just one league away win to their name.

They are not the only much-fancied team to struggle so far but with £50m the reported figure put on their summer spending, they are the most high profile.

They were a strong defensive unit under Aitor Karanka and Monk had Leeds very secure at the back so it is little surprise that they boast the joint second-best defensive record in the league.

They've let in just nine goals, which is the same as table-toppers Cardiff, but their attack has only bagged 13 strikes, which is just one more than North East rivals Sunderland, who sit second bottom.

That is despite spending big to add Britt Assombalonga, Martin Braithwaite and Ashley Fletcher to striking ranks that already included Rudy Gestede and Patrick Bamford.

However, with five seeing a fair amount of gametime, despite their varying styles it indicates that Monk does not yet know how best to assemble his attacking armoury.

Adama Traore is the only out and out winger with any pace in the squad, which also lacks number 10s to the extent that Bamford is by far the best options in the hole.

A lack of pace and creativity, players playing out of position and being chopped and changed is not the recipe for success at this level - Monk needs to settle and put some faith in a style of play sooner rather than later.

Or else, teams will know they can sit back at the Riverside and get results, like Norwich and Brentford have done in recent weeks.

Boro fans - do you agree? Let us know below...