Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis has called for his forward players to be more ruthless in front of goal as they look to get back to winning ways at Hull on Saturday.

The Teesside outfit are currently second in the league after a strong start to the season but it's fair to say that it's been the defensive solidity of the team has been the reason behind that form.

Boro have conceded just three goals in nine games and have been very impressive at shutting teams out.

Yet, that has created problems at the other end, with Pulis' men only scoring 11 goals this season, whilst they've failed to net in three of their previous four games.

However, the experienced boss is adamant that the goals will come and told the official site his side to be more clinical in terms of taking their chances.

"We've got to get people scoring goals. On Saturday against Swansea there were four or five really good crosses into the box and we didn't get anything on them. We are creating the chances, we just need to take them."

Rudy Gestede's return will give Boro an additional attacking option with the big striker ready to feature in the league for the first time this season after playing in the midweek cup success over Preston.

The Verdict

Whether Boro have been creating enough chances, as Pulis suggests, is up for debate but no one would argue that they need to be scoring more.

They are never going to be a side that scores for fun, with the main quality in this side how they defend as a team.

But, there's no doubt they have a few quality players in the final third and they will need to do more if Boro are to sustain an automatic promotion push.

Thoughts, Boro fans? Let us know in the comments below.

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