Middlesbrough can go top of the Championship with a win over Millwall at the Riverside Stadium this week. The chance to lead the division after seven matches represents a significant early milestone for Kim Hellberg's side, who currently sit third on 14 points.
Hellberg described the season's opening as a unique challenge. "It's been crazy, a different situation to the other ones I've ever experienced," the head coach said. "I've never been involved in having so many new players and so many players going out, so many games, so many players coming late, a lot of people without pre-season."
Despite this transitional phase, Boro have shown strong character to achieve good results in the first two months. They come into the match on the back of a thrilling 4-3 victory over Norwich City last Saturday, a result that kept them in the top bracket of teams that have started well. The squad's depth was tested in a midweek defeat to Crystal Palace, where many players were rested, and further changes or substitutions are likely against Millwall.
Striker Tommy Conway, after a successful return from injury, is not expected to complete 90 minutes in either game this week. The team's recent form reads two wins, two draws and one loss from their last five outings, a solid platform for the push to the top.
Millwall present a physical test, more direct and aggressive than the Norwich side Boro just edged out. The Lions inflicted a bruising home defeat on Middlesbrough last Easter but are a different team now, having lost players and suffered injuries to key figures. They started the season well but arrive with their own squad issues.
A win would raise the bar for Hellberg's project, though he acknowledges there is still room for improvement. The league table shows Boro are just two points off the summit with a positive goal difference of four, having scored 14 times. Will Lankshear leads the scoring charts with six goals in seven appearances, a vital contribution detailed on our stats page. The immediate focus then shifts to a trip to face Birmingham City on Tuesday, the final game before a three-week international break pauses the Championship until mid-October.
More detail at Yorkshire Post
