The pressure is mounting at Middlesbrough, and manager Kim Hellberg is holding himself squarely accountable. Following a sixth consecutive Championship defeat, Boro's promising season has hit a critical slump, with just two wins in their last eleven outings.

This dramatic downturn is a stark contrast to their form just two months ago, when they were locked in a title battle with Coventry. Now, automatic promotion seems a distant dream, and Hellberg knows the responsibility to reverse the slide falls on his shoulders. "We're trying to make it right, but we're not succeeding at the moment, and that's my responsibility," he stated bluntly to BBC Radio Tees.

Compounding the tactical challenges is a significant injury crisis. The absence of key duo Morgan Whittaker and Hayden Hackney has left a massive void. Whittaker, the team's top scorer, and Hackney, a Championship Player of the Year nominee, have been instrumental creators and finishers. Hellberg didn't mince words about their importance: "One is the best player in the league. They are the two with most points on our team, so a lot."

The path to redemption doesn't get any easier. Boro face a monumental test this Sunday with a trip to second-placed Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Hellberg has framed the clash as a must-win, emphasizing the need to rediscover that winning feeling. "We need to win a game to be fair and sort this feeling out," he said, underscoring the urgency for his squad to rally and stop the rot before their season ambitions completely unravel.