David Artell says that Middlesbrough may not have won yet this season but they are still playing well. Jonathan Woodgate’s side have drawn 3-3 with Luton Town in a televised fixture and they lost 1-0 at home to Brentford at the weekend.

The Bees scored with a rare attack at the Riverside Stadium to leave Woodgate and his assistant Robbie Keane still looking for that elusive first win.

Ahead of our Carabao Cup tie this evening, the Alex boss said: “I’ve seen both their games this season and although they haven’t won, they are playing well. They are a very good side with Championship players. I saw their game against Luton on the TV and they were terrific.

“On Saturday, they lost to Brentford but how they lost that game I’ll never know. They deserved to win the game.

He added: “They are not playing badly at all and the results just haven’t gone for them yet. They are a top side and we will be up against it. We will worry about their team when we see it but we know they will be strong whoever plays.”