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Middlesbrough reviving interest in signing this 23-goal attacker would truly boost chances of promotion

Why Middlesbrough should reignite their interest in Ivan Toney

According to a previous report from Teesside Live during the summer transfer window, Middlesbrough were interested in signing striker Ivan Toney from Peterborough United. 

However, Boro failed to wrap up a deal before the transfer deadline for some unknown reason and the transfer window passed by without the club signing a new striker to bolster their attack, much to the disappointment of the fans at the Riverside Stadium. 

Middlesbrough were finally able to cash in on Martin Braithwaite this summer but the club’s pursuit of a new striker to provide cover and competition for Britt Assombalonga came to nothing.

That hasn’t come back to haunt them just yet but Jonathan Woodgate is likely to be aware of the lack of quality depth in his centre-forward ranks. 

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Boro, meanwhile, have made a mediocre start to the ongoing campaign in the Championship, with the Teessiders managing 2 victories and 3 draws in their first seven league outings. 

Woodgate has introduced a more attacking brand of football at the Riverside Stadium after taking over the reins from Tony Pulis earlier in the summer but a tally of just 8 goals in 7 games isn’t overly impressive, given that all the teams above them in the standings, barring Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City, have scored more goals. 

The front trio of Assombalonga, Marvin Johnson and Ashley Fletcher have promised a lot in Woodgate’s 4-3-3 system but the manager would know that his team are going to have to find the net more regularly if they are to make a push for a promotion playoff spot this term. 

Rudy Gestede, who is the only out-and-out back-up striker in the ranks, has continued to underwhelm with his poor form in front of goal and Woodgate, as such, hasn’t shown much confidence in his abilities. 

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The veteran’s involvement has been limited to only three cameos off the bench in the Championship thus far and Boro might find themselves in real trouble if Assombalonga goes through a lean patch later on in the campaign. 

Suffice to say, Middlesbrough need more competition for places in front of goal and, to that end, reigniting interest in Ivan Toney could solve a major issue in a key area of the pitch for Woodgate.

Toney failed to establish himself at Newcastle United but his career has hit great heights since his move to Peterborough United last summer.

The Northampton-born striker racked up as many as 23 goals in all competitions at London Road the last term and he has already hit the ground running in an emphatic manner this time around, bagging 8 goals in 8 League One outings and accumulating three man-of-the-match awards.

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As per whoscored, Toney averages 3.6 shots, 1.4 key passes and 6 successful aerial duels per game in League One, numbers which speak volumes of his well-rounded attributes as a centre-forward. More Middlesbrough News:

The 23-year-old is only going to get better with time and if he continues to rack up such impressive numbers in the third-tier, it won’t be long before some of the top Championship clubs come knocking on the door for his services. 

Middlesbrough should be wise enough to know that and the Teessiders need to show the ambition to go back in the market for the talented striker in January in a bid to add more depth and firepower to their attack.