It’s a topic too uncomfortable to mention. A thought that’s buried deep in all our psyches, even those that wear the most rose tinted of Boro specs.
What happens if the unthinkable occurs… What happens if the Boro don’t achieve promotion this season?
But it couldn’t could it? Everything is geared up towards promotion. The wage bill. The net spend in transfer fees. The squad. The head coach. The fans. The feelgood factor is back on Teesside... But what if?
A few weeks it ago was a three horse race. Last week we were talking about creating a six point gap at the top of the league. Now Boro sit in second, one point above Bournemouth, three above Ipswich and four above Watford and bang in form Norwich.
This is all before the “week of destiny“.
The answer is that it is certainly feasible.
The results have slowed recently. Two points from the last three. However Boro remain in the top two. It shows the fickle nature of the Championship. Anything is possible.
Boro can take heart from the fact the teams at the top are dropping points. It’s what happens at the stage of the season, when a combination of pressure to perform and heavy legs affect results.
Whilst Boro have been ugly at times over the past few months, up until last week they were still winning ugly.
It could be a blip or it could a run of poor form. Personally I think it’s likely to be a blip, given the thorough planning Aitor Karanka commits to each and every game.
The truth is it’s still anybody’s to play for. There are still six or seven teams that will think they can grab one of the two automatic promotion spots. Derby look like Champions elect.
You will find few Championship enthusiasts that disagree.
Bournemouth following a few questionable results may be waning, whilst Norwich in particular look capable of finishing the season strong.
Of course it’s very unlikely that Boro will drop out the top six but the playoffs are a route no fan actively chooses to wander down.
Either way Boro are capable of winning the play offs, as are the three other teams involved. No team flukes a place in the top six following a 46 game season. Points count for nothing, form and confidence make the difference.
The play offs are a process sure to test the Parmo-laden hearts of Teessiders up and down the country and one that will certainly test the nerve of the team.
At this point the Boro’s promotion chances have taken a huge hit and nothing is guaranteed. Even the most optimist of Boro fans would back Karanka's men for promotion unconditionally at that stage.
Katie Lunn 
Grant Leadbitter lets fly against Fulham earlier this season
So where does failure leave Boro? Devastated? Dis-heartened? Distraught? Down and out?
Absolutely not. There’ll be some Championship hardened clubs returning to the division. Hull, Burnley and Leicester all know what it takes to bounce back to the big time, but so do Boro.
Another year under Karanka’s belt will only strengthen his resolve.
How many times have you seen promotion “certainties” fall at the last hurdle and storm the league the next season? Leicester. Cardiff. Derby. There are precedents abound the recent annals of Championship history.
Karanka and Steve Gibson aren’t wired for failure. Yes the squad may require building. A successful loan network is in place and can be called up on again next season.
Top flight clubs will be begging Boro to take their best talent given the success of players building experience in the second tier of English football.
The transfer and wage budget may be tighter. It might not.
The FFP limits have been relaxed and there's no doubting Gibson will squeeze every last penny he can to get his beloved Boro back in the promised land.
That thought sounds very depressing right now and flies in the face of the (unusual) optimism washing over Teesside, but if it doesn't happen it's not the end of the world.
We'll be back.
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