Britt Assombalonga's impact, Neil Warnock's tactical tweak and Middlesbrough's unsung hero: Nottingham Forest verdict

One of the most impressive things about Middlesbrough this season is their ability to bounce back from disappointing results.

An unfortunate defeat against Norwich was followed by a 3-0 win over Derby. A defensive off day at Huddersfield came before a gutsy victory over promotion rivals Swansea. Then, a rare second-half collapse at Preston was quickly put behind Neil Warnock’s side as they put three past Millwall just days later.

On Saturday, the Teessiders suffered another setback after a flat, off colour performance resulted in a 1-0 defeat by Birmingham at the Riverside.

There were reasons for that, most notably the fact that a number of first-team players had just returned to training following a Covid-19 outbreak.

Challenging weather conditions had also reduced Boro’s time on the training pitch, yet Warnock said there would be no excuses for Wednesday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

The message was clearly received as the visitors produced one of their best performances of the season at a ground where they have struggled in the past.

Forest may have been 19th in the table before kick-off, yet Chris Hughton’s side were also unbeaten in seven matches. Boro put an end to that run.

Goals from Britt Assombalonga, finally one against his former club, and George Saville, either side of half-time gave the visitors a two-goal lead before Forest substitute Loic Mbe Soh pulled one back in stoppage time.

“I thought from the first whistle we were right at it tonight,” said Warnock after the match.

Howson gives Boro a lift in midfield

At the heart of Boro’s performance was the instrumental Jonny Howson, with the midfielder making his first start for over a month following a hamstring injury.

The 32-year-old was often the deepest of the Teessiders’ three midfield players but was able to rotate with George Saville and Sam Morsy in the engine room, giving the side stability and balance.

At times this season, Boro have performed well playing with a more natural No 10, like when Lewis Wing played at Birmingham, or when Marcus Browne impressed at Wycombe.

But, while maybe not providing as much of a goal threat, the combination of Howson, Morsy and Saville offers bags of energy and tenacity which makes the side difficult to beat.

The trio haven’t been considered goal scorers in recent seasons, but Saville now has four this season and broke forward instinctively to score Boro’s second here.

Morsy also showed he can provide support in the final third when his second-half shot was saved by Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba, while Howson assisted the opener with a low cross for Assombalonga.

Howson’s composure on the ball, as well as his relentless work out of possession, earned him a glowing appraisal from Warnock. “I would have given him 11/10,” said the Boro boss.

Assombalonga finally scores against Forest

While the midfield three gave Boro more solidity in front of the side’s regular back four, the Teessiders needed an outlet from their forward players for the system to work.

The side’s attackers were disappointing against Birmingham as the Blues, managed by former Boro boss Aitor Karanka, comfortably saw out a one-goal lead.

At the City Ground, though, Warnock’s side were dynamic and sharp in the final third, with captain Assombalonga leading from the front.

The striker was one of three changes made to the side which lost against Birmingham, a match he was left on the bench for after feeling unwell.

Assombalonga had played five times against Forest since his move from the City Ground to the Riverside in 2017, but had failed to score in any of them.

The forward put an end to that after 14 minutes here, though, after opening the scoring and going on to have a big impact on the game.

Boro’s second goal almost came when Assombalonga’s header hit the post and rebounded off goalkeeper Brice Samba before half-time, while the forward’s movement and hold-up play was also impressive.

The visitor’s second goal came when Assombalonga dropped deep before setting up Tavernier, who then released Saville to make it 2-0.

"When Britt's like that, he's as good as anything. I just wish he'd do that every week,” Warnock added.

Wingers play their part

The likes of Assombalonga and Howson will rightly earn praise, yet this was a performance where everyone played their part.

On the flanks, Marcus Tavernier and Duncan Watmore worked their socks off, regularly tracking back to match the runs of Forest’s attacking full-backs Yuri Ribeiro and Cyrus Christie.

Both Tavernier and Watmore are also quick and effective when running with the ball, which meant Boro always had a threat on the counter attack.

Watmore may not have scored at the City Ground but was something of an unsug hero, as he always provides a goal threat when he drifts in from the flank.

That can also create space for his full-back, Marc Bola, to charge forward, and there was one moment when the defender found himself on the edge of the box before hitting the post with a long-range effort.

Warnock is still keen to sign a more natural wide player who can offer another option in the final third, with the Boro boss revealing earlier this week that a deal is in place to sign a Premier League winger on loan.

With Ashley Fletcher also nearing a return to full fitness, Boro fans should be excited about what the second half of the season has to offer.

The Teessiders will now hope to find more consistency after another excellent display.

As Warnock said afterward, he’s disappointed the team haven’t claimed more points, despite a promising first half of the campaign.

One thing his team has done repeatedly is bounce back from disappointment.

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