Middlesbrough are having a decent enough season on their return to the top flight and their fans here in the Tavern are quietly confident Aitor Karanka can lead his side to safety.

In a tough-looking Premier League campaign that has seen a whole host of sides struggle, Boro are perhaps where you expect them to be – ticking along above the relegation zone but with the threat of getting dragged in looming from above.

And whilst they’ve had some cracking results so far this campaign, there have been some real stinkers and some performances from certain individuals that you’d certainly expect more from.

If this Boro side was playing to it’s fullest potential week-in, week-out, they might be even further up the table with the threat of relegation already behind them.

So, with that in mind, here’s THREE Boro players who we think seriously need to prove their worth between now and the end of the season…

Rudy Gestede

Signed for £6million in January from Aston Villa, Rudy Gestede has a real opportunity to kick-start his career again after a tough few months in the Midlands.

He was renowned as a goalscorer during his time with Blackburn Rovers but now, he’s in a real dry patch and he needs to start hitting the back of the net not only for himself but for his team too.

Middlesbrough need to start banging the goals in and Gestede really needs to show his worth between now and the end of the season.

He could be the answer to their inconsistency infront of the sticks.

Alvaro Negredo

A high-profile summer signing, Alvaro Negredo was supposed to come in and easily lead his new side to safety – after all, he banged the goals in during his time at Manchester City.

But the burly Spanish striker hasn’t quite found the same form we’ve seen from him in the past, and like Gestede, lots of people are relying on him to start scoring as soon as possible if the threat of relegation is to remain a distant memory.

He’s certainly got the quality in a division like this, now all he needs is the service and the belief that he can make a change.

Gaston Ramirez

Gaston Ramirez is set to be offered a way back into the Boro first-team fold after his January wantaway antics, and he could certainly prove to be a huge player between now and the end of the campaign.

The Uruguayan has undisputed quality but at times, his consistency and work-rate have been flagged up by Boro supporters here in the pub and you certainly can’t argue with their complaints.

But he’s a man that is good enough to make things happen and change games.

He’s got a big few months ahead of him at the Riverside.