Historic weakness cost Middlesbrough FC v Sheffield Wednesday - Michael Carrick may have remedy lined up | OneFootball

Boro's defence once again let them down against the Owls, but it was also an afternoon that saw the return of a potential remedy to that problem.

Defensive problems have plagued Middlesbrough's season, and indeed the duration of Michael Carrick's Riverside reign.

Late goals, sloppy goals, own goals: you name it, Boro have conceded them all this term.

This defensive fragility was on full display once again at Hillsborough on Easter Monday, as an abject Boro performance saw them deserve to take nothing from their game against Sheffield Wednesday, and that's precisely what they did.

A comical 89th-minute Wednesday winner saw Middlesbrough fail to capitalise on a golden opportunity to strengthen their play-off chances, as once again, Boro's defence, combined with a lack of cutting edge in attack, let them down.

Middlesbrough have really struggled in defence this season

Boro's backline issues have undoubtedly seen them leave numerous points on the pitch this season, and hamstrung their ability to establish themselves as a genuine promotion contender.

Both Luke Ayling and Anfernee Dijksteel have been mediocre at best at right-back, with the former in particular enduring a highly disappointing campaign given how much of an impact he had during his loan spell on Teesside last season.

On the opposite flank, Neto Borges' poor displays prompted Middlesbrough to sign Ryan Giles on loan in the winter window, but the left-back who had enjoyed a superb 2022/23 season with the club, hasn't enjoyed a fairytale return so far.

Whilst in the heart of defence, Carrick has gone through a number of players and different combinations, all of whom have failed to truly cement their own position in the starting XI.

George Edmundson, Dael Fry and Rav van den Berg have all enjoyed ups and downs with no real consistency to their respective displays, whilst Matt Clarke was shipped out to Derby County in the winter window.

Indeed, it says a lot that Boro's makeshift centre-back pairing of 36-year-old central midfielder Jonny Howson and the aforementioned Borges have arguably been Carrick's best duo from a performance-level standpoint this season.

Middlesbrough and Michael Carrick could be set to receive renewed defensive hope with return of forgotten man

It's been 18 months since Darragh Lenihan was part of a competitive matchday squad for Middlesbrough. That was until Easter Monday, at least.

The 31-year-old last turned out for Boro in September 2023, before suffering an ankle injury that would require surgery and end his 2023/24 campaign prematurely.

After making a return to the squad for pre-season ahead of the current campaign, Lenihan would then suffer from Achilles tendinitis, which had up until Monday, ruled him out for the duration of this season too.

However, the Republic of Ireland international made a shock return to the Boro bench against Sheffield Wednesday, and as such, he now looks set to potentially play a part in the final two games of the campaign.

Lenihan, who is also Boro's vice-captain, is a no-nonsense, clear it and ask questions later-style of centre-back - and that's exactly what Carrick's side needs right now.

All throughout the season, Middlesbrough have been conceding an infuriating and inexcusable number of goals from inside their own 18-yard box, with so many of them stemming from panicked clearances and over-playing in tight situations.

Boro's final two games are against Norwich and Coventry City respectively, two sides known for their potency in attack.

As such, if Lenihan is able to return for these final two games, he could provide the Middlesbrough head coach with somewhat of a makeshift remedy at the back, and perhaps tighten Boro up enough so they can get the results required to make the top six.