The revealing statistics behind Chuba Akpom's first two Middlesbrough displays and what it means for Britt Assombalonga

"I loved the goal he scored,” said Boro boss Neil Warnock after Saturday’s 2-1 win over Barnsley. “I love tap-ins when the goalies have saved it.

And when you look at Akpom’s heat map, it’s little surprise the 24-year-old was in the right place to convert Marcus Tavernier’s effort which was spilled by Tykes keeper Bradley Collins.

Akpom is capable of dropping deep and trading passes with his team-mates but also showed a poacher’s instinct on his home debut.

The striker was often positioned around the penalty spot, which led to an early chance when Barnsley defender Mads Andersen inadvertently allowed the ball to roll past him and into Akpom’s path.

That chance may have been squandered, but the forward continued to take up the right positions before doubling Boro’s lead shortly after half time.

According to Football database Wyscout, Akpom finished the Barnsley match with an expected goals figure of 1.36 after hitting the target with one of his three efforts at goal.

To put that in perspective, Britt Assombalonga has recorded xG totals of 0.42 (Watford), 0.25 (Bournemouth), 0.06 (QPR) and 0.07 (Barnsley) in Boro first four Championship games.

Yet it would be harsh to say Boro’s new captain hasn’t performed in the first batch of fixtures. As Warnock pointed out last week, the frontman appears to be working harder than ever.

A glance at Assombalonga’s heat map from the first four games suggests the forward is more likely to run into the channels than Akpom.

Assombalonga also appears to be more involved in Boro’s build-up play, and received 10 passes from his Boro team-mates against the Tykes.

That’s nearly double the striker’s Championship average last season (5.3), yet just one of his touches came inside the penalty area on Saturday.

Akpom, meanwhile, registered seven touches inside the Barnsley’s box at the weekend, which is more than what Fletcher or Assombalonga have recorded in a single match this season.

On reflection it’s probably a good thing that Boro’s two strikers are taking up different positions and appear to have different strengths.

The addition of Patrick Roberts may also allow the team’s two frontmen to stay in more advanced areas of the pitch, rather than dropping deep where a capable playmaker can roam and create.

More game time should also allow partnerships to grow.

Against Barnsley, none of Assombalonga’s nine successful passes went to Akpom, while just one of the latter’s six successful passes were aimed at his strike partner.

Perhaps that is to be expected given Akpom has only been at the club less than a month, yet the aforementioned stats show they weren’t stepping on each others’ toes.

The good thing is that Boro have options, with last season’s top scorer, Fletcher, set to return after the international break.

When Roberts arrives it will also be easier for the side to switch to a 4-3-3 formation, with Akpom, Fletcher and Assombalonga all capable of playing wide.

The early signs have been encouraging, or at least more encouraging than last season when the Teessiders finished as the Championship’s lowest scorers.

Hopefully there is more to come from Boro’s strikeforce this campaign.

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