Boot room banter: Middlesbrough v Bolton

Two goals from Cristhian Stuani at Oldham in midweek was the perfect way for the Uruguayan to start his Middlesbrough career. Whether it was against lower league opposition or not, the brace should be the ideal confidence booster ahead of his home bow at the Riverside.

The 28-year-old has a proven track record at club level in Spain and his appearances for Uruguay highlight that he has the ability and mentality to be a success, so Boro should benefit from having him around.

Kike started his first season in the Championship well and managed to score 12 goals by the end of it, even though Aitor Karanka actually stopped playing him consistently from the start after Christmas. But Stuani offers different things to Kike.

From a team selection point of view Stuani is a more willing mover. He is not just an out-and-out striker capable of finding the net, even though he is a predatory finisher likely to score plenty this season.

The £3.6m buy from Espanyol actually prefers to play in one of the more supporting roles behind a lone striker, although for the time being Karanka seems certain to have him at the top of the system to spearhead the attack. The arrival of David Nugent, though, might provide him with more playing time in a more withdrawn role.

Diego Maradona can take Boro to a new level

What was clearly apparent at Boundary Park on Wednesday night was that Middlesbrough have an attacking midfielder capable of terrorising Championship defences.

Diego Fabbrini – aka Maradona according to team-mate Albert Adomah – showed exactly why Karanka was so keen to sign him with his clever movement and desire to look for a pass.

The Italian was here, there and everywhere, particularly in the first half against Oldham when he linked up so well with Stuani. Fabbrini should be an automatic starter against Bolton in attacking midfield, which presents the question of where does Stewart Downing go?

What is likely to happen is that Downing will start on the left of a three man supply line to Stuani which also includes Fabbrini and Adomah. All three, but mainly Downing and Fabbrini, will be expected to regularly change positions to cause headaches for defenders.

If those three, with possibly more to follow on loan, can hit it off then Middlesbrough could well have the best forward line in the division and one which is more than capable of powering a promotion charge.