Are Middlesbrough the Premiership’s greatest enigma?

Mention Middlesbrough and you immediately think of Jekyll and Hyde for that is what they resemble; an unpredictable, sometimes brilliant but often dire team.

Yesterday was no exception, a commited and polished performance saw ‘Boro record a deserved draw against champions-elect Manchester United. This had been preceded by losing to Chelsea last week when Gareth Southgate’s men hit the woodwork three times.

And so Middlesbrough represent one of the Premiership’s greatest enigmas. They have experienced the heartache of relegation, the excitement of winning the league cup and reaching the UEFA Cup final and their supporters have seen the likes of Juninho and Ravenelli grace the Riverside.

When asked on Match of the Day 2 to sum up the enigma that is Middlesbrough, Southgate admitted that he didn’t know the answer – does anyone? Fans across the country have watched Middlesbrough outplay some of the top sides but fail against the teams around them at the bottom.

One week the passing is fluent, the attack potent and the defence solid. Fast forward to the next game (think Cardiff in the FA Cup) and you wouldn’t think the team had ever met, the play is scrappy and draining.

The ambience around Teeside is possible though, influential young winger Stewart Downing has committed his future to the club, citing the signing of Afonso Alves as evidence that ’Boro have ambitious plans for the future.

Certainly they have one of the best chairmen in the league in Steve Gibson who loves the club he owns and backs the manager he appoints with transfer funds and patience – a refreshing change when the majority of the Premiership is starting to resemble a collection of franchises.

So are Middlesbrough the Premiership’s greatest enigma? And is there a solution in sight?