Michael Carrick told to prioritise replacing Middlesbrough player who "can't defend" in January | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit identified two potential problem positions which may need addressing this month.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Middlesbrough have been encouraged to sign a new left-back in the January transfer window, and may also need to source a replacement if star striker Emmanuel Latte Lath moves on to pastures new amid reported interest from the likes of Leeds United and Ipswich Town.

Player retention is likely going to prove equally, if not more important than bringing fresh faces to the Riverside Stadium this month, as far as Michael Carrick is concerned.

Boro are currently fifth in the Championship and have been the division's most potent attacking side after league leaders Leeds, meaning they appear strong value to finish the campaign inside the top-six.

That's certainly the ambition, of course, although Middlesbrough are poised to see their resolve tested in the coming days and weeks as speculation and uncertainty both continue to rise involving the futures of Latte Lath and Liverpool loanee Doak, who have been two of Carrick's best performers this term.

With that in mind, Middlesbrough are sure to be considering incomings too.

Leeds United, Ipswich Town transfer interest in Middlesbrough's Emmanuel Latte Lath

As per a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, Championship rivals Leeds are "serious" about making a move to try and beat off Premier League trio Ipswich Town, West Ham United and Leicester City for Latte Lath.

It's said that Daniel Farke's side are reportedly weighing up whether to submit an official bid for the Ivorian frontman, with Boro believed to be willing to entertain offers around the £15 million mark despite rejecting a high-profile offer worth £20 million from Ipswich on deadline day just last summer.

Given the animosity between the two sides, Boro will expect potential backlash from their supporters if the deal is given the green-light, but that hasn't put them off being open to conducting business with Leeds should their demands be met.

It would be a significant blow to lose Latte Lath at any stage but particularly midway through the campaign, with the ex-Atalanta striker having been in impressive form once again this term.

The 25-year-old returned 16 goals from just 30 Championship appearances during his debut campaign on Teesside and has already hit double figures this time around, cementing his status as one of the division's finest frontmen.

If he were to be sold, then it would give Boro the finances to strengthen multiple positions, but irrespective of what happens with the Ivorian, one particular area of the pitch could be more of a cause for concern.

Middlesbrough FC told to prioritise Neto Borges upgrade in January if Latte Lath doesn't depart

FLW asked our resident Boro fan pundit, Jasper Hudson, to identify positions where he believes his side need to improve but crucially, what profiles are required in those areas of the pitch.

According to Jasper, Middlesbrough need to sign a like-for-like replacement for Latte Lath if he departs, despite second-choice striker Tommy Conway impressing infront of goal since his summer switch from Bristol City.

But in the event that Latte Lath does not depart, Hudson also thinks Middlesbrough are crying out for a more balanced left-back with the attributes to be solid defensively as well as offering an outlet in the final-third, with summer signing Neto Borges flattering to deceive.

"There are a few positions that we've lost players in due to injury, but with it being the transfer window, if we were to lose Emmanuel Latte Lath then that's the position we'd need to re-strengthen in the most," Jasper told Football League World.

"We've got Tommy Conway, who is a really good player, technically very good, works very hard for the team and is a great finisher, but Latte Lath has that physical presence, the speed and strength and is also clinical in-front of goal so I think we'd need a like-for-like replacement.

"He's a physical striker who has a bit of pace but is also a handy finisher.

"If Latte Lath were to stay, then I think we'd need another left-back (as our priority position). We've signed Borges, (Ryan) Giles and Bangura, we've signed a lot of left-backs but we've never found one who has stuck and fit the system.

"Every game it's Borges who can't defend well or Bangura who can't attack, there's always something missing from whoever we play there, there's always something missing from their game. We're trying to find a left-back who fits perfectly and we haven't yet done that.

"So in terms of positions, a left-back could be one we need to strengthen in but it has to be exactly right, it can't be like before where we've had players fit a certain category or role. We need a left-back who is solid defensively but also, similar to Giles, has a good ability to get crosses into the box.