Neil Warnock's message to Britt Assombalonga as Middlesbrough boss discusses side's lack of goals

Britt Assombalonga has scored three goals in his last four games for Middlesbrough.

Assombalonga has started every game under Warnock since the manager’s appointment last month, a run which has seen Boro play five times in 17 days.

The Teessiders now have three games left this campaign, starting with Tuesday’s trip to Reading, but are still just two points above the relegation zone.

Warnock has therefore told his players, particularly Assombalonga, to hang in there for the final stretch.

“I think he’s really trying his best in these tough circumstances,” said Warnock when asked about Assombalonga during his pre-match press conference.

“He’s playing every game and he’s putting so much in, I do feel a little bit for him at the moment.

“I said to him ‘just three to go’ and I’m sort of keeping my eye on him all the time really if I’m honest because he’s such an important player.”

In recent weeks Assombalonga has revived his partnership with fellow frontman Ashley Fletcher, and the pair linked up well during last week’s 2-0 win at Millwall.

Yet it hasn’t always clicked for the duo this campaign, with Warnock still trying to work out how to utilise his striker.

When asked if he thinks Assombalonga and Fletcher play better as a pair, Warnock said: “I think it depends on what you’re playing really, tactically.

“If they had played together and done really well as a pair over the last 18 months I don’t think the club would have been where they are so I’m not sure if they have been a pair.

“From what I’ve seen they’ve had moments together when they have gelled, I thought Millwall was probably the best they’ve played since I’ve been here.

“You’ve just got to look and see what the other teams are doing and see how you can play, you can’t just stick to one system in this league.”

Boro’s attacking woes are well documented this season, and the Teessiders remain the lowest scorers in the Championship with just 43 goals.

Yet even last season, when Boro finished just outside the play-offs, only four teams scored less times than the Teessiders under Tony Pulis.

So what has been the issue?

“I think when you look at it for three years, it has to be more than tactics,” said Warnock when asked that very question.

“I just think to be one of the lowest Championship scorers three years on the trot is incredible really, I didn’t quite believe it yesterday but you just have to get on with it.”

The Boro boss also suggested the job is proving harder than he first anticipated after taking charge with eight games to go.

“When I came in I did think there would be a level squad with defenders, midfielders and strikers and that I’d be able to shape that,” Warnock added. “But I have found we are short of that type of defender that we need in a battle.”

“One or two of the lads are stepping up and doing their best and that’s all we can do in this situation.”