Middlesbrough put in a battling display against automatic promotion hopefuls Leeds United on Monday evening but ultimately fell to a 4-3 defeat.
The Teessiders’ nine-game unbeaten run came to an end but in many ways, it didn’t feel that way after producing a terrific performance worthy of at least a draw.
Emmanuel Latte Lath continued his rich vein of form, netting a brace with the second effort particularly impressive.
The 25-year-old got on the end of a straight long ball to loop an audacious header over the stranded Ilan Meslier.
Middlesbrough’s box-to-box midfielder Lewis O’Brien also produced a marvellous display and revealed – speaking to the club’s media team – what Michael Carrick told the players ahead of kick-off.
Lewis O’Brien reveals what Michael Carrick said ahead of kick-off
Middlesbrough had little riding on the game last night, as their hopes of a top-six finish were all but over but they didn’t look like a side on the beach.
Asked about carrying momentum over to next season, Lewis O’Brien said: “Yes that’s what the gaffer’s been saying.
“Obviously recently there’s not been much to look forward to but he’s just been saying to try and build on what we’ve been doing and build it into next season.”
Carrick’s pre-match team talk certainly rallied up his players, who for large spells looked far superior to Leeds, who went into the top two with victory.
If Boro had played like that all season, it makes you wonder where they’d be in the league table, certainly in the top six.
The future is bright for Middlesbrough
If Carrick’s side can carry their end-of-season momentum into next season, they’ll be one to watch for a top-two finish, let alone top six.
Prior to yesterday’s result, they hadn’t lost since the beginning of March and have looked every inch like a promotion contender.
It’s imperative the Boro boss is backed in the summer and he can’t afford to lose a Latte Lath for example.
Chuba Akpom and Morgan Rogers departed in the last two windows, which has had a massive impact on their promotion hopes.
O’Brien is certainly a player they should look to sign on a permanent deal, too, and Nottingham Forest may well be open to sanctioning one for the right fee.
A telling summer transfer window awaits.