Middlesbrough’s start to the summer transfer market has not been as swift as some of its Championship rivals, and concerns may be brewing ahead of Kim Hellberg’s first full season in command.

Borough ran out of steam near the conclusion of last season, winning only two of their final ten league games and losing all three play-off appearances.

Some of this was due to a lack of potency and cutting edge in offensive areas, but overall squad depth was a minor issue, as Kim Hellberg did not have many players to call on to come on and change games.

The potential of this club under the Swedish manager is enormous, and many at the Riverside believe that a return to the Premier League is on the cards for the first time since the 2016/17 season, but a slow start to the summer transfer window has tempered some of that enthusiasm.

Middlesbrough have lost two key academy products, club captain Dael Fry and reigning Championship player of the year Hayden Hackney, and have only added Myles Peart-Harris and Kyle Joseph.

Middlesbrough fan commentator thinks signings will take time this summer.

Borough fans have watched as some of their Championship promotion competitors have become stronger.

Millwall has signed four players, Norwich City paid £8 million for Andre Brooks, Wolves has begun to spend transfer funds, and Southampton confirmed the signing of Lewis Dobbin on Wednesday.

While Middlesbrough has made its own additions, Peart-Harris, who was relegated with Oxford United but has a lot of potential, and Joseph, who only scored eight goals last season at Hull City, may be seen lacklustre in contrast.

But, FLW’s Borough fan commentator, Liam Day, isn’t eager to pile on pressure on popular owner Steve Gibson to do more to invest and boost Kim Hellberg’s team. He believes that transfer windows can be long, stressful, and agreements aren’t always clear.”You cannot blame Steve Gibson,” he continued.

“With how much goes into every transfer these days, it can be a long, drawn-out process with finances and every club’s situation.”I believe Steve Gibson will always spend as much money as possible as long as he believes it is right and in the best interests of the club. I will never criticise him.

Gibson, a lifelong Middlesbrough fan, has served as the club’s chairman since 1994. He’s led the team through many ups and downs, including League Cup victories, European finals, and relegation to the Championship.

Day is confident in the 68-year-old’s ability to lead the team towards re-entry into the Premier League.I believe Steve Gibson is one of the best owners in the EFL,” the fan pundit stated.”He’ll do what’s best for the club, and it’s up to people like Kieran Scott [Boro’s Head of Football] to convince players and complete the deals.”So I don’t believe you can blame Gibson. He’s one of the best proprietors, and you can never underestimate what he does for the club.”

Middlesbrough are ready to trust Steve Gibson this summer.

Steve Gibson has confessed that Middlesbrough’s present team is not ready to compete next season, but he and the rest of the board are working hard to attract more players to the Riverside.

Finally, Borough fans must believe that their owner will make the right judgements and sign the appropriate players to fit into Kim Hellberg’s system, which they should have no reservations about doing.

Gibson has repeatedly demonstrated that he has the club’s best interests at heart and wants to be the guy to lead the Riverside to glory once more. He’ll have to work extra hard in preparation for what is expected to be a highly contested campaign.

Middlesbrough begin next season in just over three weeks, hosting Wrexham in the EFL Cup first round, before remaining at home for their Championship opener against League One champions Lincoln City.