Middlesbrough: Beating Sunderland win would be catalyst to kick on

Following a disappointing defeat at Portsmouth a fortnight ago, Boro bounced back with an impressive win over fellow play-off challengers West Bromwich Albion.

But rather than kick on, they slipped up again at Preston North End, despite the backing of over 5,000 fans from Teesside.

And that lack of consistency from game to game has Maddison, himself a promotion winner at the club under Bryan Robson in 1997-98 in a team that also included Paul Gascoigne and Paul Merson, questioning the side’s resolve when things get tough.

“I’d like to see a few more leaders in the team, but they’re a dying breed in the game, no matter the level you’re at,” he said

“That’s what Boro are missing. It’s that element of someone on the pitch, encouraging, organising, making sure we do the right things when things get a bit tough.”