Middlesbrough’s recent history in the playoffs has been a mixed bag, with the team failing to qualify in five of their last six attempts.

However, they have come close in two of their last three, indicating a potential for improvement in the future.

Middlesbrough are currently undergoing a significant transition, both in terms of their on-field football style and off-field events.

After a series of managerial changes, the team has found stability under Micheal Carrick’s leadership.

Carrick, who has been at the helm for nearly two years, has introduced a distinct style of play and is placing a strong emphasis on young talent.

The below visualisation shows where the club finished in its last ten seasons and its points tally in each of these seasons.

Their highest points tally during this period was in 2015/16, when they finished second and earned promotion to the Premier League.

Last season, they finished with 69 points — five fewer than the 64 they secured in 2020/21 when Chris Wilder was in charge.

The 2019/20 campaign was their worst in terms of points tally when they finished with 53 points and just above the relegation zone in 17th.

This 10-year period has seen them lose out on plenty of talent, including Chuba Akpom, who was pivotal in helping the club qualify for the playoffs in 2022/23.

The club has also moved towards signing relatively younger players who suit the style.

A common pattern that seems to have occurred over the last few seasons is how relatively lesser the managers have been and the players signed seem to be contrasting to the style of play.

But this has changed over the last 18 months with a set style of play and relevant players coming in.

In addition to this, Middlesbrough are one of the best teams on paper this season, and with the right signings, they should definitely be finishing in the playoff places or above.