Middlesbrough sit second in the Championship, having lost just one game all season.
Middlesbrough have made an excellent start to their first nine games of the 2018/19 Championship campaign, losing just once away to Norwich City.
Tony Pulis’ side and their fans have huge hopes of this season being the season where the Boro get back to the Premier League, cementing themselves back in the top-flight.
And key to their impressive first nine games has been three influential players, all of which have contributed in their own way.
Martin Braithwaite
The obvious choice for player of the season so far goes to forward Braithwaite, who since requesting a transfer away from Teesside, has continued to impress.
The Danish forward has scored three goals this term from the 640 minutes he has played, but aside from the goals, Braithwaite has been key in providing an outlet when his side are under pressure alongside teammate Britt Assombalonga.
Daniel Ayala
The Spaniard was left out from Pulis’ starting XI at the start of this season and the player was struggling to earn a spot in the Middlesbrough side ahead of fellow defenders Aden Flint and Dael Fry.
However, since his introduction against West Brom, where Ayala scored the winning goal in a 1-0 win over the baggies, the 27-year-old has continued to be a calming influence in the heart of the Boro’s defence.
Darren Randolph
Arguably the most important part of Middlesbrough’s season so far has been the seven clean sheets kept from the nine games they have played. And at the centre of that has been number one stopper Randolph, who has hasn’t put a glove wrong this season, leaking just three goals in nine games.
The Irish international signed for Middlesbrough for £5m and is arguably some of the best business the side have done in years.
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