Middlesbrough took advantage of Ipswich Town’s error on Sunday to move five points clear of Kieran McKenna’s side after a 4-0 victory at QPR.

It was the 12th win in 19 Championship games for Kim Hellberg, and it improved their lead heading into the final ten games of the season.

It’s been a fantastic few months at the Riverside since the Swedish manager took over, with a team that appeared to be fading from a championship fight under Rob Edwards becoming one of the most exciting, fierce sides to watch, as well as one of the greatest Boro outfits in the last decade.

Indeed, their fourth four-goal haul under Hellberg has Middlesbrough fans believing that a return to the Premier League after nine years away is possible. And, as their manager admits, they are only getting started.

Kim Hellberg gives a bold declaration regarding his second season in command of Middlesbrough

There is no doubt that Kim Hellberg will be at Middlesbrough next season, especially if Boro can pull over the line in the next ten games and return to the Premier League.

Hellberg noted on BBC Teeside that every team he’s led has improved in his second season, which is a cause for excitement at the Riverside, especially given their performance in the first half-year.”Every team I’ve had has always been better in the second year than the first,” he stated.I believe this stems from the way I work and my desire to constantly improve. I could never be on a team that just parks the bus or runs set plays while taking time off the clock. I wouldn’t be a good coach for that type of team. “It would devour me!”So, for me, how I work and how we play is the most important, because I know it is what will produce outcomes over time.

Kim Hellberg and Middlesbrough will be put to the test next season if Premier League football arrives.

Middlesbrough are currently playing some of the most attractive football their club has seen in a long time, and many neutrals are curious to see how the patented ‘Hell-ball’ plays out in the Premier League if Boro make it there this season.

Finally, and most lately, we’ve seen how beneficial it can be for a newly promoted side in the top tier to play a lot without the ball, whilst those that try to do the reverse frequently face fast relegation.

Kim Hellberg will not want his Middlesbrough side to follow in the footsteps of Leeds United and Sunderland this season, and he will want his team to join the Premier League with confidence and play the attractive style of football that would have propelled them to the top.

And, if his admission is correct, we could be prepared for a Boro team that is much better than the one we saw this year and will remain in the top division for many years.

However, everything is depending on how this season plays out. The entire focus is now on the final ten games, where their fate is in their control.

However, we all know how dramatic the Championship run-in can be, and there will almost certainly be twists and turns that will put Middlesbrough’s determination to the test in the coming months.