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Time to reflect - Date: 3 Jan 2012

With the festive fixture congestion out of the way, 2012 upon us and almost two weeks until Boro's next Championship game, perhaps this is the ideal chance to reflect upon how the season has gone so far with a half-term report.

It all got of to a solid, if unspectacular start with an opening day 2-2 draw at home to Portsmouth for Tony Mowbray and co, before the season really got going with a run of five consecutive wins, including the successes in the Carling Cup.

Indeed that was what largely set the tone for the season so far: hard-fought wins whilst keeping it tight at the back. In August, as noted by many transfer betting pundits, Middlesbrough only conceded five goals.

September was another good month, and although it brought the first defeat of the campaign (against Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup), Boro remained unbeaten in the Championship. Furthermore, that defence was still pretty watertight, not a goal conceded in the month, albeit including back-to-back 0-0's with Ipswich and Leicester.

The first two defeats of the campaign came in October against Nottingham Forest and Southampton, with concerns that the good work from the first two months of the season could all unravel in the blink of an eye.

However, things looked to be getting back on track with a win towards the end of the month, followed by consecutive wins at the start of November to restore any confidence that might have been lost in Mowbray's team.

December really was a good month. Undefeated in five games, including a run of four wins in a row, up to and including Boxing Day.

This year, however, has got off to a terrible start, with Boro losing 3-0 at Blackpool on Monday. Saturday's FA Cup clash with Shrewsbury will be the ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways before a tough game at home to one of the division's form sides, Burnley.

On reflection though, as far as those looking to compare free bets are concerned, it has been a hugely encouraging start to the season, with a very real prospect of promotion at the end of it. A rocky road lies ahead though.

Now the January transfer window is open, there is a chance for Tony Mowbray to clear out some of the clubs fringe players and bring in some fresh talent that will help the club in the second part of the season.

Another defender would be an important signing. The defence has looked solid for much of the campaign, but when there have been injuries, there has been concerns over the strength in depth of that department.

Like any other club in the division, a striker is another priority. Maybe that could be in the form of Doncaster's Billy Sharp.

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