Middlesbrough: Ray Parlour sends Hull, West Brom & Norwich play-off warning | OneFootball

Ray Parlour has given his prediction for Middlesbrough’s play-off chances this season - warning that the form of West Bromwich Albion, Hull City, and Norwich City would make it difficult for them to finish in the top six.

Boro have struggled for consistency this campaign, but still find themselves on the outskirts of the chase for a top six finish.

Michael Carrick’s side have gone into the March international break seven points adrift of sixth place Norwich City.

A 0-0 draw against a struggling Blackburn Rovers last weekend exemplifies the issue the Teesside outfit has struggled with so much this term, as they were unable to make it four wins in a row in a fixture against favourable opposition.

Middlesbrough are aiming to earn back-to-back play-off qualifications, having come fourth in the Championship last year and lost out in the play-off semi-finals to Coventry City.

Ray Parlour’s Middlesbrough play-off warning

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, via NetBet Sports Betting, Parlour warned Boro that the form of Hull, West Brom and Norwich meant it would be really tough for them to make the play-offs in the final months of 2023/24.

He said: “It is going to be really tough to make the play-offs.

“It’s unfortunate that the team have been a little inconsistent this year.

“The loss of Chuba Akpom has been a blow to them scoring.

“The recent win at Leicester City shows they can perform against a top side, but defeats to the likes of Bristol City have hurt the team.

“With Hull City, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City in good form, it will be difficult to catch them.”

Akpom was the division’s top scorer last season, bagging 28 goals from 38 appearances for Boro (all stats from Fbref).

But he has since signed for Ajax, departing for the Dutch giants last summer with just one year remaining on his Boro contract.

The Championship side cashed in on the forward, earning a £12 million fee, but the signings they've made with that cash have failed to replace his goal output.

Other key players from last season, such as Cameron Archer, Aaron Ramsey, and Ryan Giles, also departed at the end of the previous campaign, due to their loan spells coming to a conclusion.

Middlesbrough league position

Middlesbrough are currently 10th in the Championship table with eight games still to play this season.

Norwich occupy the final play-off place, with West Brom a further five points ahead in fifth.

The Baggies’ position inside the top six is looking secure at the moment, meaning the sides below are potentially only competing for the final play-off position.

Middlesbrough return to action following the international break with a trip to St. Mary’s to face fourth-place Southampton on 29 March.

Consistency has cost Middlesbrough this season

At their best, Boro have proven they can take on anyone this season, as evidenced by their win over Leicester City last month.

However, they have been unable to string these performances together consistently enough this year.

Having lost the players they did over the summer, it’s not too surprising they’ve struggled to maintain their competitiveness from last year.

But it will now take an extremely strong final eight games of the season to overturn the gap to the top six, which, while not impossible, does seem unlikely.

Parlour's right that it is going to be very tough for them to battle their way in, not least given the strong form of the sides ahead of them, but you never say never in a league like the Championship.