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There can be no gentle settling-in period for Middlesbrough’s new faces. Michael Carrick’s revamped squad must hit the ground running if they are to establish the club in the top six. In

fact, the new-look line-up faces an immediate baptism of fire when they head off to top-two candidates Sheffield United next week. On the face of things Boro have done some excellent

business during the January window. We must believe that the team will be much the better for it, but then we thought the same last summer. So the new kids on the block must prove themselves

from the off. There’s every reason to hope that Kelechi Iheanacho, with his wealth of experience, can help fill the huge gap which will be created by the loss of Emmanuel Latte lath. Fellow

loanee Samuel Iling-Junior also has enough senior games under his belt to make an impact. Hopefully he will see a lot more of the ball than he did on his cameo debut against Sunderland.

Both of these loan signings reflect Boro’s determination to finish in a play-off position at least. They have been brought here to do a job and are expected to perform. The same applies to

Morgan Whittaker, who failed to make much of an impression after being pitched in against the Black Cats. Derbies are unlike any other game. It can sometimes be a mistake to read too much

into results, especially as some players can struggle with the intensity and the pressure. But Whittaker knows full well what the Championship is all about. He must blend into the side

quickly and stamp his authority on games. In bringing in the two new loanees and Whittaker, Carrick has made a definite statement that he intends to improve the Boro’s attack for the hectic

run-in. That makes sense, though it’s not just about creating chances, it’s about taking them as well. With better finishing Boro could easily have scored another three goals against

Sunderland, even if they did not deserve anything from the game. The best unit on the pitch in the derby was in midfield, where Hayden Hackney and Aidan Morris look a top blended duo now

that Morris has fully recovered from injury. Hackney has the ability to dominate this area of the pitch and in fellow livewire Morris has an excellent partner. The pair can be very

influential in the run-in yet, even so, they are probably under a little pressure to give added support to the Boro back line, which was ripped open on several occasions in the derby. While

Ryan Giles did reasonably well against the ever tricky Patrick Roberts, Boro were regularly exposed on their right-flank. It beggars the question whether Luke Ayling must be told to push

forward at every opportunity and that Whittaker or Iling-Junior, or the eventually returning Ben Doak, should provide cover when Ayling is on a forward march. The last line of defence, Mark

Travers, not only could not be blamed for any of the goals but in fact he made a few useful saves. He looks a decent acquisition. The same applies to all the new boys. Now it is up to

Carrick and his coaches to take advantage of a free weekend to spend an extra few days on the training ground enabling the new faces to get to know what the team’s playing pattern is all

about. After just one win in six games Boro’s confidence levels must be well short of what they need to be. But the team can do themselves a massive favour by getting a result at Bramall

Lane and building the springboard for the season’s outcome we all want to see.