John Powls: Single focus has to be on Boro winning the next game - town and team together

I agree that whatever the recent shortcomings on Boro’s travels there’s nothing to be gained by further crying over spilt milk.

Neither is there need for players put up and primed to paper over cracks or for Mini-Mourinho moan-ups – however ‘carefully considered’ .

The single focus has to be on winning the next game - town and team together.

The Reds are still well placed but now need either Watford or Bournemouth to slip up and then if Karanka’s ‘take one at a time’ Men win all five, it’s job done.

The Teessiders might also get through with four wins from five so long as they beat Wolves and The Canaries.

But that has to be off the back of a morale boosting monstering of the Millers’ at The Riverside tomorrow.

Middlesbrough fans celebrate the win over Wigan at the Riverside

With the exception of the absence of the suspended Leadbelter there seems to be good news on other key figures’ availabliity to start .

It’s rarely predictable which of those will actually be fit or who Karanka goes for, so I’m setting out my ideal selections with an order of priority for back ups.

I think that Bernie is right that changing the 4-2-3-1 shape isn’t likely to be helpful especially as it has generally worked well for Boro at home where they’ve been much more front foot and fluid in style and have a very good record.

Given Steve Evans’ approach with Rotherham and the need to get Boro back in the goal-getting groove, I’m looking back just a few weeks at the line up for the four one tonking of a similarly straightforward and hardworking but less able side in McCarthy’s Tractor Boys and using that as my template.

Dimi will be in goal, of course, with Gorgeous at left back and if Dani Ayala is fit then he should return to partner Big Ben in what has been The Reds most successful centre back pairing.

If Dani isn’t fit it should be Woody to cover or, failing that, Ken Omeruo with the predominantly left-sided Amorebieta to back up Gibbo from the bench.

Kalas should continue at right back with Fredericks as back up for now and Tiendalli only if neither of those is available.

Dean Whitehead

On balance, I’d go for Dean Whitehead’s greater experience, toughness and holding capabilities to replace Leadbelter alongside Clayts and shield the back line.

Boro’s number eight can then be freed to drive on, carry the ball through midfield and major on backing up the front four with Forshaw on the bench to cover both.

Uncle Albert and Bam-Bam are surely nailed on to start and I’d go to the Ipswich template again for Vossen to pip Tomlin to the number ten role.

That leaves the midfield flank role filled by Adam Reach against The Tractor Boys and several times since.

The talented Academy graduate has copped way too much friendly fire flak recently but there’s no denying his form has dipped significantly in recent games after strong performances going both ways earlier in the campaign.

If the lad is struggling and being heavily criticised for it then there’s a proper consideration about whether to keep putting him in the firing line.

Adam Reach

But Boro are at their front foot best with width on both sides of the attacking midfield three and Reach’s runs to the byeline and cut backs were providing feature assists for Bamford and Vossen not that long ago.

The possible alternatives – like Wildshcut and Ledesma or putting Tomlin out wide – aren’t even in the frame for me.

So I’d ask Reachy to step forward again in a game where he should be getting at the Rotherham full back more than covering his own and the Riverside crowd will get behind him as he recovers his form.

I hope that returning Richie Smallwood gets a decent reception too but also that his team then gets a thorough tonking at the hands of resurgent Reds!

C’mon Boro!!