The latest headlines as Middlesbrough head into the international break on a poor run of Championship form.

Middlesbrough head into the international break off the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw against Blackburn Rovers as the Championship promotion race intensifies.

Despite all their possession, Boro couldn’t create a decisive chance at Ewood Park and are now winless in their last three, scoring just once during that time - while they’ve only won two of their last eight. Now, Kim Hellberg will have the chance to reorganise his troops and take stock ahead of the final push toward the end of the season, with Boro not due to play again until Friday, 3rd April, when they face that crucial clash of second vs fourth at home to Millwall. So, with all of that in mind, what are the latest headlines doing the rounds at the Riverside Stadium?

Tommy Conway tactical switch explained

A lack of a clear goalscorer has certainly hurt Middlesbrough this season, with winger Morgan Whittaker their top marksman on 11. Centre-forward Tommy Conway is next on eight strikes, but only two of them have come since the start of February.

Hellberg changed things up slightly at Blackburn on Saturday, switching Conway to a role behind striker David Strelec, primarily operating from the left but given licence to drift inside. Ultimately, it was a ploy that didn’t work, with the Scotland international failing to attempt a single shot, while Boro’s xG fell from 2.72 against Bristol City to 1.56 at Ewood Park (per FotMob).

It was certainly a move that surprised Boro fans, but Hellberg has looked to explain his decision-making, stating that Conway struggles against sides that employ a low block; a tactic used by a Blackburn side still struggling in the relegation battle.

“I see Tommy more as a mobile player who pulls away to the left,” explained the Boro boss, whose side are still second in the table despite recent struggles. “He is very good in that system, which is something that has gradually changed as the season has gone on.

“Tommy is a very good central number nine against a team that wants to press highly and leaves space. So, the Preston game, for example, he was very good at running into space. “When he faces those teams who defend lower, he is sometimes better to the left, I think, in terms of making the most of his qualities. He has scored goals and got assists from that position.

“A lot of our focus in training lately has been working with him out to the left. He is a very good wide player against lower [defending] teams. In those games, the space is often out wide rather than central. I think he has been brilliant in learning that role, and I think he has been very good out to the left lately, running one-on-one and finding combinations.

“We have got a lot of points from his work on the left – the assist against Leicester, the goal against QPR, winning a penalty. He is a good deep runner, but when there is no space centrally, maybe it is better for him to work from a different angle.” It would be a surprise to see Conway line up from the left again vs Millwall, given his ineffectiveness at Ewood Park.

Dael Fry makes attacking promise amid goalscoring woes

Boro have only conceded twice during this three-game winless streak, and have allowed just four shots on target across those games combined. So, it’s clear it’s their misfiring attack causing the problems, especially considering closest rivals Ipswich Town have scored in each of their last 15 Championship matches.

However, Boro are still creating far more chances than their opponents game by game, and the home draw against Bristol City, especially, was an example of wasted chances, rather than a lack of them.

Club captain and centre-back Dael Fry isn’t too worried about what he’s seeing in front of him, and has backed Middlesbrough’s forwards to rediscover their attacking edge during the international break - ahead of that crucial meeting with Millwall, who are just two points behind in the table.

“It is frustrating. At the minute, we’re struggling to find the back of the net but we’re still creating chances, playing good football,” said Fry. “It’s just that final pass, that final ball. I’m 100% sure it will come. Sometimes you just need a bit of luck. Even if it’s a scruffy one that falls in the back of the net, it’s just not falling for us at the minute.

“I’m sure it will come. We’ve got enough quality in the team, and the squad with the lads coming off the bench. I can’t fault the lads because everyone is working so hard. We’re grafting hard every day in training, working on it and we are creating the chances.

“If we weren’t creating the chances, maybe I’d be a bit worried. But we’re doing everything we can do to put the ball in the back of the net. Everyone is still positive in the camp because we are playing well. We are doing everything we can. “It’s a bit frustrating when every team plays the low block, but we’ve got to find a way, and we’ve got an international break now, two weeks to work on it. We’ll reset in the international break and I’m sure we’ll go again and come back even better.”

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