Middlesbrough head for Ewood Park today looking to kick-start their season with the first win of the campaign.

Michael Carrick's side are bottom of the Championship after a difficult start. As for Rovers, after last season's top-six near miss, they've had an inconsistent start to the new campaign.

Ahead of the encounter, we spoke to the Lancashire Telegraph's Blackburn writer Elliott Jackson to get the lowdown on Rovers and his thoughts on Boro.

What’s been the story of the early stages of Blackburn’s season?

The results have been mixed but performances have been good. I think most fans would agree that Rovers have deserved more than seven points from their displays.

They were terribly unlucky to lose against Hull having played for 75 minutes with 10 men. They had enough chances to beat Rotherham and missed big opportunities at 0-0 and 1-0 against Plymouth. They could easily be unbeaten and have another five or six points on the board.

How have the new signings fared and who of those who left in the summer have been sorely missed?

It's been a mixed start. They signed seven in the summer, two of which were in the final 48 hours of the window and so could make their debuts against Boro. My gut feeling is that they, Semir Telalovic and James Hill, will both be on the bench.

Midfielder Sondre Tronstad has only started one Championship match. Goalkeeper Leopold Wahlstedt is still challenging to be number one and Arnor Sigurdsson and Niall Ennis have been injured. Andy Moran is the only player that has really forced his way in.

They miss Ben Brereton Diaz's goals. He had swings of form last year but ultimately finished as their top goal-scorer once again. They really need someone to step up and take on the burden as their goal-getter.

After last season’s near miss, is the aim this term a top-six finish at least? And is that achievable?

Rovers' off-field issues in the summer have been well documented. The budgets were already tight due to Financial Fair Play but geopolitical issues in India saw those cut further.

As a result, they've been unable to sign 'proven' Championship goal-scorers, which they desperately needed. That was the issue last year and they've since lost Ben Brereton Diaz and released Bradley Dack.

That said, Tomasson has proven he can overperform with this group. He's eking every last ounce from them and I think a top-ten finish could still be achievable.

Any more than that would be a serious overperformance. There isn't great expectation on Tomasson due to the summer restrictions. I think the owners, and a section of level-headed fans, would be happy with a top-ten finish, attractive football and more player development.

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Who are the dangermen for Boro to be wary of?

Adam Wharton is capable of dictating any Championship match and can pull the strings in midfield. Sam Szmodics has a goal in him from the number 10 position too.

Gallagher always seems to score against Middlesbrough, as Boro fans will know. He scored two at the Riverside last year including an absolute rocket from range.

What have you made of Middlesbrough’s start, how do you see the season panning out and who will Blackburn identify as the key men?

It's been very intriguing with Boro. I think their summer recruitment caught a few off-guard and it looks a totally different project to last season. If I'm honest, I'd try to forget last year and treat this as a brand-new team.

I feel sorry for Michael Carrick. They have not been good enough in both 18-yard boxes but their play in-between has probably merited more.

Rovers are well aware of the talent Lewis O'Brien has, considering their failed deadline-day move for him in January. Morgan Rogers can be lively, if not frustrating, and can make things happen for Boro in the final third.