Kim Hellberg is eager for Middlesbrough to play at home again as they prepare to host Norwich City at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday. The head coach highlighted the importance of the fixture as his side, sitting third in the Championship with 14 points from seven games, looks to maintain their positive early-season momentum.
"Norwich are a very good side," Hellberg said. "I remember that game last season, it was a brilliant atmosphere and I remember the last five minutes were absolutely crazy." That previous meeting at Teesside ended in a 4-3 victory for Boro, a result they will be keen to repeat. The team's form has been solid, with a recent 2-2 draw against Millwall preceding this weekend's match.
A demanding schedule
The Norwich game marks the start of a busy period, with three matches scheduled over the next eight days. Middlesbrough have faced a heavy run of away fixtures recently, playing five of their last six on the road, including a midweek Carabao Cup defeat at Crystal Palace. Hellberg acknowledged the challenge of integrating a large number of new signings during a difficult pre-season, but pointed to the team's current league position as evidence of progress.
Striker Will Lankshear has been central to that progress, leading the team's scoring charts with six goals in seven league appearances. The 21-year-old, who joined from Tottenham, found the net in the draw with Millwall and will be a key threat against Norwich. The team's overall attacking output is strong, having scored 14 goals in the league so far.
Building on a strong start
With 10 points taken from their first five Championship outings, the mood around the Riverside is positive. Hellberg believes the upcoming match promises to be an entertaining spectacle for supporters. "I think it is going to be a very good football game, two good teams against each other, brilliant kick-off time on a Saturday and we are looking forward to it," he said.
The match is the first of three before the season pauses for an international break, making points key. Fans can check the full schedule of upcoming games on the club's fixtures page. Following the Norwich clash, attention turns immediately to a trip to Birmingham City on Tuesday. Middlesbrough won the last meeting between the sides 3-1 at St Andrew's back in March, and will be confident of another positive result. The current standings show Boro well-placed in the automatic promotion chase, and a strong week could see them consolidate that position.
The team's recent form reads two wins, two draws and one loss from their last five matches. After facing Birmingham, they have a home game to handle before the break. Hellberg and his squad know a productive week on Teesside can set the tone for the rest of the campaign.
More detail at bbc.com
