MATT Clarke has been at Middlesbrough long enough now to see plenty of players come and go - and the experienced defender is excited about the current make-up and balance of Michael Carrick's squad.
After the deadline day arrivals of George Edmundson and Ben Doak to round off a successful summer transfer window, Boro signed off for the first international break of the season with a 2-0 win at Cardiff, with Clarke scoring his second goal in as many games.
It means Carrick's side have lost just once in their first four league outings but the opening weeks of the season didn't pass without challenges. Boro have already had a taste of what's to come this term with teams setting up to stifle and frustrate.
Boro couldn't find a way through in the defeat at Derby but were rewarded for their persistence and patience when they snatched a last minute equaliser at home to Portsmouth, before their Cardiff win the following week.
READ MORE:
- Middlesbrough signing has 'big aspirations' & has already shown crucial quality
- Liverpool star's 'exciting' praise and word of caution for Middlesbrough loanee
- Middlesbrough loanee makes instant impression despite Riverside reunion frustration
Clarke said: "We train every day on the way we play and the character of the team so it’s just a case of keeping with that and being ruthless at both ends.
"We have given away sloppy goals and may be missed a few chances so it is about being relentless at both ends.
"The squad is really strong, good competition, training is at a really high level and we‘re in a good place, there’s been a few injuries but that’s just part and parcel of football and we are in a good place."
Clarke has been Boro's best player so far this season and is also currently top scorer after his goals against Portsmouth and Cardiff. But as much as he's worked on adding more goals to his game, it goes without saying that he knows he'll soon be knocked off the top of that chart once attackers such as Emmanuel Latte Lath and Tommy Conway hit full stride.
He said: "We have some top top attacking players who can hurt you in all different types of ways. and we’ve been there or thereabouts in terms of chances we’re creating and the areas we’re getting into, so there’s no panic, there’s no anxiety in terms of the goals and the goals will come."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here