Middlesbrough hit with ‘dismal’ verdict as Sunderland and West Brom examples prove Kieran Scott’s failure

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Middlesbrough are in danger of once again failing to make the play-offs under Michael Carrick this season.

Middlesbrough have been trying to secure promotion back to the Premier League since their relegation all the way back in 2017.

Michael Carrick is the latest in a long line of managers to give it a go and has so far guided Boro to fourth and seventh-place finishes.

The Teessiders missed out on the top six by just four points in 2023/24 and similar heartbreak looks set to unfold in the current campaign as they sit eighth and three points off the play-offs.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	West BromWest Brom	38	13	18	7	48	34	14	57
7	Bristol CityBristol City	38	14	15	9	49	41	8	57
8	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	38	15	9	14	57	48	9	54
9	BlackburnBlackburn	38	15	7	16	42	40	2	52
10	WatfordWatford	38	15	7	16	47	51	-4	52

There are a number of reasons the North East outfit have been so inconsistent this term, but their failure in the 2025 January transfer market is a major factor.

• READ MORE: ‘Most realistic’ move for Middlesbrough sensation Rav van den Berg revealed ahead of summer transfer window

Middlesbrough handed dismal transfer window verdict

Middlesbrough sold Emmanuel Latte Lath to Atlanta United for £22.5m and replaced him with Kelechi Iheanacho at the back end of the window.

The former Leicester City man has been disappointing, as has fellow January addition Ryan Giles.

Now, speaking exclusively to EFL Analysis, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has shared his thoughts on Boro’s most recent window, labelling Iheanacho ‘dismal’ when doing so.

He said: “Boro had a bad January, they came out in worse shape than when they started, it has to be said.

“They sold Latte Lath, but they have known since December he was likely to leave and the best they could come up with was Iheanacho – who has been dismal, to say the least.

“Then look at centre back, they have been left with just one fit player, yes injuries have played a huge part but they knew this before allowing Matt Clarke to join Derby, why do that?

“Then they bring in Ryan Giles to replace Neto Borges, but they barely gave him a chance and Borges is back in. Borges is much improved, but he is still only adequate at best.”

• READ MORE: Middlesbrough fans send summer transfer demand to Steve Gibson, they want ‘class’ player signed

Sunderland and West Brom used to explain Kieran Scott January transfer failure

Since February 3rd – the day the transfer window shut – Middlesbrough have picked up just three wins from nine Championship matches.

This has allowed the likes of West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City to secure their places inside the top six ahead of Carrick and co.

And Bailey believes such sides are examples of how teams who want to finish in the play-offs, like Boro do, should conduct business.

He added: “Boro could and should be in the play-offs, yes the players and the manager need to take a long hard look, but so does the hierarchy, do they think they set things up in January to push for a promotion push

“Look at what Sheffield United, Sunderland, West Brom, even Coventry did – all trying to improve with some marquee signings.

“Some of Boro’s displays are so far off the mark, I think it is a miracle they are still in contention.”

Middlesbrough’s Head of Football Kieran Scott has been linked to Crystal Palace this week, which isn’t too surprising given his track-record of signing stars like Latte Lath, Morgan Rogers and Rav van den Berg.

However, there can be little argument that the majority of the business the Teessiders conducted under Scott over the winter was poor.