Interim Middlesbrough manager Steve Agnew has been chucked in right at the deep end with Boro staring relegation in the face following the departure of Aitor Karanka.

Boro have been much poorer than many people have expected this season, and their fans who frequent the Tavern have been having plenty of moans and groans as the season has progressed.

A lack of goals and creativity has hampered the club all season long, and it looks like it might well cost them their place in the Premier League come the end of May.

Our landlord has been getting the rounds in this week at the bar for some of our regular Boro fans, and the chat has been firmly centred on just what has gone wrong at the club and what problems there are within the club.

With this in mind, we have taken a look at TWO burning issues Agnew needs to resolve at Boro ASAP…

Find an attacking formula what works

As touched on, Boro have massively struggled for goals this season, and it looks like costing them.

Key for Agnew between now and the end of the season is to find a combination that works for Boro, where they can score goals, but still be solid at the back. They went more attacking against Hull City, but ultimately ended up conceding four goals, and striking a balance will be key if they are to have any chance of survival.

Convince Ben Gibson to stay put

One thing what Boro need to do is ensure that star defender Ben Gibson stays at the club.

The young defender has been hugely impressive in his first season in the Premier League, and an England call-up is surely beckoning. If Agnew can convince Gibson to ignore the riches and lure of some of the top Premier League clubs, then the club will have a top quality defender to build their team around for the considerable future.