Middlesbrough bounced back from the disappointment of relegation from the Premier by appointing former Leeds United boss Garry Monk, handing the 38-year-old a transfer war-chest big enough to guide the club back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

A solid run of results had seen Boro begin to climb the table following an indifferent start, but since defeat at Leeds midway through November, the club have won just once in three games.

Successive defeats to Derby County and Bristol City has seen Boro fall five points off the play-off pace, and fans will begin to become concerned with the direction in which their club is moving.

Goalkeeper Darren Randolph took to Twitter to describe his disappointment at the weekend's loss to the Robins, and declared his side had a ‘big week of training ahead’.

The Republic of Ireland international has been solid between the sticks this term, but has lacked protection from his backline too often this semester.

Fans took to Twitter to respond to their number one, with optimism appearing to be quickly fading at The Riverside…