Our landlord here at the Transfer Tavern has been impressed with the way in which Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough have adapted to life in the Premier League.

Indeed, Boro were very unlucky not to come away from their game against title hunting Tottenham with a point.

Meanwhile, they’ve also got themselves into the next round of the FA Cup after a victory over Accrington Stanley, albeit not in the most easiest of fashions.

Everyone has been full of praise for a number of Karanka’s men – with the majority talking about how many times Victor Valdes has saved them or at the other end how much Alvaro Negredo’s goals have been vital in games!

They are very right to heap praise on the two former Spanish internationals but there have been a number of key players that have had very little mention on the impact they’ve made for Boro this season.

With that in mind, then, these two West Brom players definitely deserve more respect and recognition…

ADAM FORSHAW

The former Everton midfielder has been a superb asset for his side in the heart of midfield.

He hadn’t featured much in his side’s rise back to the Premier League but when injury struck their captain Grant Leadbitter just before their big kick-off they had to call on Forshaw to fill in and he didn’t disappoint.

Being tipped by many of our punters here for a future England call-up, the 25-year-old has been a vital cog for his side so far!

ANTONIO BARRAGAN

Unlike his fellow Spanish players Valdes and Negredo, Barragan hasn’t been heaped with the he same amount of praise.

Despite the fact of how important he has been in the Boro defence, the former Valencia man has shown his experience at playing for one of the best sides in Spain and has brought that to the otherwise young Boro back-line. He deserves an honourable mention by us here at the Tavern for the shifts he puts in at the back.

Agree, Boro fans? Let us know below!