A TOTAL of 11 points and 18 places separated Middlesbrough and Charlton Athletic before the start of this weekend's Championship programme.

It remains the sort of fixture which will define whether the Teessiders have truly moved on from their ultimately unsuccessful tilt at promotion last term.

Just like now, Boro were riding high ahead of the last occasion that they faced the Addicks at the Riverside Stadium and came into the game on the back of an outstanding away win which made the division sit up and take notice.

It left many observers in no doubt about the automatic promotion credentials of Kim Hellberg's side, as they talked up their footballing panache.

Hellberg celebrates his first anniversary in charge of Boro in November. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — Hellberg celebrates his first anniversary in charge of Boro in November. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

For Boro's brilliant 5-1 victory at Bolton Wanderers, read another head-turning televised success, namely a 4-0 verdict at QPR last March ahead of hosting Charlton.

It proved to be an 'After the Lord Mayor's Show' occasion. Boro lost 1-0.

The story was Boro's profligacy and was a sign of things to come. In all honesty, they never truly recovered.

Boro mustered 34 goal attempts and recorded 77.8 per cent possession, but were still turned over by a visiting side who dropped deep and fought admirably and took their chance when it came along.

Middlesbrough's Will Lankshear - top-scorer in the Championship - celebrates after scoring his sides equaliser against Cardiff at the Riverside Stadium. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA

It serves a warning in the present for Boro, who have drawn two of their last three home matches, for all their recent swagger.

Hellberg said: "We have six wins and four draws in the last 10 games and have been taking big steps in all the things we talked about before the season, improving our transitions. And breaking and scoring from facing a lot of players in the box; we've been better in that.

"I remember the Charlton game. We created a lot of opportunities, but didn't score. That's one environment where we have been doing better - scoring off a lot of our chances.

"We are improving every day and it's been a key thing. For us, it will be a tough challenge. They will probably have a game plan of defending and maybe frustrate and take time off the clock as much as possible and control the game in that way.

"They are a well-coached team and difficult to break down."