Boro fans are hoping against hope that the team can dig deep to stop the rot and record a positive result when we come up against Huddersfield Town at The Riverside this evening. Kick off at the later 7.45pm time. The game is avaliable on SKY Sports (Arena) and through mfc.co.uk - free for season card holders.

The traditional post festive slump has bitten deep once again at Boro. Injuries, refereeing decisions and poor performances have all contributed to Neil Warnock's side going into a results freefall. Bizarrely this has not correlated with our position in the league. But a beleaguered Neil Warnock was realistic enough to concede at yesterday's press conference that we will soon start to drop places. Any more defeats and we will soon be looking over our shoulders and slide into mid-table mediocrity and beyond.

Tonight we play a side that punished us earlier in the season at their John Smith Stadium. Further bad news is that veteran Richard Stearman, who was having a real nightmare in that fixture until being forced off injured, will not be fit to start this evening. Boro looked to be walking the game as we waltzed past the leaden footed Stearman until he limped out of the action mid-way through the first half.

The good news for Boro fans is that The Terriers are having an even worse time than us currently as they prop up the form league having only 2 draws and so 2 draws from the last 6 results. Those four defeats included letting relegation-haunted Wycombe come back from behind to defeat the Yorkshiremen 3-2 at the weekend.

What we would give for a similar result tonight. Although scoring 3 goals right now seems way off the scale. But if we could return to our previously stingy defence it would be a big step in the right direction.

Will Grant Hall or Dael Fry be ready to return tonight? We certainly hope so. Dijksteel has looked less certain since returning from his surgery, which is maybe not surprising. We could do with some solidity and presence again at the back alongside Paddy McNair. The Irishman actually nudged forward into midfield for the final minutes in Saturday's defeat at Derby and you have to wonder if this might be an option tonight as we have failed to dominate that department of late.

Upfront neither Britt nor Chuba Akpom have looked convincing of late, whilst Ashley Fletcher continues to shake off the rust from a long injury lay off. We might need to put more minutes in his legs and hope he can get on the end of the quality service that Neeskins Kebano promises to deliver. The wideman did cause problems for the Rams but there was a lack of potency in the middle.

I don't think either Watmore or Marvin Johnson have been at full power since struggling more than most with COVID in January and as much as we need them we have to let them recover their health, if that is indeed an after-effect.

Above all else let us see a cohesive performance tonight and smuggle a victory from former Leeds coach, Carlos Corberán. Nestled in 18th position, just 2 points ahead of our weekend tormentors Derby County. The decision to sack the Cowleys for Corberan is looking on less solid footing again. Let's defeat The Terriers and kick-start our own movement in an upward direction again.

It has been a miserable start to the year thus far. Let's give every Boro fan a lift with a victory tonight.
Tonight's match is broadcast through Sky Sports Arena so available to those with SKY Sports. Boro Season Card holders will be able to watch the game on mfc.co.uk. Remaining Boro fans can pay £10 for pictures through mfc.co.uk

Come On Boro and Up The Boro