Do Boro need to embrace the ugly duckling in order to become a beautiful swan?

Following their defeat in the Carling Cup and an indifferent start to their Championship season, Middlesbrough fans are already beginning to fear that this term will be another that fails to see them gain promotion back to the big time.

With Boro star David Wheater already suggesting the side's passing style of play will not be enough to see them gain promotion this season, the club are well aware that the Championship is one of the toughest divisions around, especially when you consider it is a division with no real stand out team involved this season. In fact, if you look at the Andy Gray tips for the season, it seems the Championship is tighter than ever.

Despite the FIFA World Cup team describing Boro's youth academy as world-class, it appears that those who have progressed through the ranks are not prepared to dig in enough to get themselves out of the current situation. Many people made Middlesbrough betting tips for promotion this season, but they need to buck their ideas up soon if that is to happen.

However, with Boro fans renowned for demanding both victory and a stylish performance, the difficulty facing the club is that their own fans are liable to turn against the team if they are not delivering immediately. Despite this, the side will be hopeful that the club’s fans will appreciate the fact that the most important thing for the team - both financially and in football terms - is the club's promotion back to the Premier League as soon as possible.

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With crowds at the Riverside continuing to drop, the management of the club will be aware that the club will need to keep their fans onside if they are to keep their bank balance in a healthy shape and, as all supporters know, success breeds happiness, even if that success comes with the price of ugly football.