They couldn't have done it the simple way, could they?
Not that it matters, Boro are top of the league.
Aitor Karanka's side climbed to the top of the Championship with a hard-fought victory over basement boys Blackpool.
The Gazette's Boro editor Philip Tallentire offers five observations from the game:
1. Jonathan Woodgate made his first start since the Capital One Cup tie at Oldham in August and was his usual calm, assured self. He may be in his mid-30s but he hasn't lost that remarkable positional sense that marked him out as a natural defender.
2. In his first Boro start, Adam Forshaw looked like a pocket dynamo , buzzing about the midfield, closing down the opposition and trying to instigate attacking breaks.
3. While Aitor Karanka said he wouldn't be using the state of the pitch as an excuse, there's no doubt Boro struggled to adapt to the conditions. They tried to play their usual passing game but Blackpool's constant pressing denied the visitors time on the ball.
4. The injuries are stacking up. Dani Ayala limped out of last night's game and with Ryan Fredericks and George Friend also on the sidelines, the medics will have their work cut out getting everybody fit for Arsenal on Sunday.
5. Karanka confirmed that he decided to use a back three at Blackpool even before Friend was ruled out through injury.
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