Middlesbrough saw their three game winning run come to an end against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon.
Michael Carrick‘s side went in to the game looking a fourth straight win, to keep them within touching distance of the top six spots.
By contrast, the visitors went into the game perilously close to the relegation zone, after winning just two of their last 19 Championship games.
Although both sides had their chances, neither was able to open the scoring before at half time.
It was a similar story after the break, and although Isaiah Jones rattled the bar on the stroke of 90 minutes, neither side were able to find a winner.
As a result, Middlesbrough now find themselves 10th in the Championship table. They are seven points adrift of the play-off places, with eight games of the regular season still to be played.
Now it seems as though one moment may have proved particularly significant, in ‘Boro missing out on the win here.
Middlesbrough told injury ‘really hurt them’ on Saturday
Having named the same side in the last three games, Carrick made just one change on Saturday afternoon.
That saw Jones replace the injured Rav van den Berg in the side. As a result, Marcus Forss was among those to keep his place in the starting XI.
However, he lasted just 19 minutes before being forced off due to injury. Finn Azaz was the man to come off the bench as his replacement.
Now, Craig Johns believes that was a big setback for Middlesbrough in their search for three points against Blackburn Rovers.
Taking to X at full time, the Teeside Gazette journalist wrote:
“Boro lose ground on the top six with a goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers. Early injury to Marcus Forss really hurt them I thought.”
Middlesbrough return to action after the March international break on Friday 29th March, when they travel to St Mary’s to face Southampton.
Marcus Forss injury a blow
This injury picked up by Forss in Saturday’s game will be a concern for Carrick and ‘Boro.
The striker had already missed one huge chance before this blow, and was looking a threat for Middlesbrough.
Keeping him on the pitch, would have maintained that threat, and with more time, he may have been able to break through the defence of Blackburn Rovers.
While Azaz is a good player, he is not as much of a natural centre forward presence as Forss is, and they did lack the same outlet after the change had been made.
With that in mind, Middlesbrough will no doubt be keen to see him back in action as soon as possible.
It is worth noting that Forss has been named in the Finland squad for the international break. It will be interesting to see if he is actually involved for the national team over the next couple of weeks.