Neil Warnock's message to Britt Assombalonga, Chuba Akpom and Middlesbrough forwards after January transfer window

The Teessiders have scored just three goals in their last six matches and paid the price for not taking chances.

Britt Assombalonga and Duncan Watmore are the club’s joint top scorers with five this campaign, while fellow forward Chuba Akpom has four, the same number as Marvin Johnson and George Saville.

At times this season Boro’s frontmen have been starved of service as Warnock’s side have struggled to break opponents down.

Yet the arrivals of players such as Yannick Bolasie, Neeskens Kebano and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will give the Teessiders more attacking options and creativity for the final 18 league games.

Despite Boro’s 4-1 defeat by Brentford at the Riverside, Bolasie looked lively on the left flank and delivered some inviting crosses into the opposition’s box.

“He’ll get better because some of those crosses we will eventually put them in,” said Warnock when asked about Bolasie after the game.

“People aren’t used to that because in fairness we haven’t had anything quality-wise like that and have been feeding on scraps.

“Strikers get blamed but you have to look at what they’re getting. Now they haven’t got an excuse because they are going to get some good opportunities.

“I think we’ve created more chances than any other game against one of the best sides in the league, so they can’t complain now if they don’t get some goals now these strikers in the next few weeks.”

Warnock worked with Bolasie at Crystal Palace and knows the wideman could be a big asset in the Championship.

“He’s been working very hard and he owes me,” added Warnock. “I’m expecting big things from him in the last 18 games and I don’t think he’ll disappoint me.

“I don’t think Kebano will either, he just needs a little bit more help in that respect, we have got to be positive and at the same time be solid at the back.

“I think although it’s more difficult for me in terms of selection, I’m actually enjoying it looking at the bench and seeing that we can change it.”

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