Middlesbrough returned to second in the Championship as they held off a late Brentford fightback to win at Griffin Park.

After a relatively quiet, goalless first half, Jordan Hugill tapped in to put the visitors in front.

When Marcus Tavernier’s downward header doubled the lead soon afterwards, the points looked safe, but Alan Judge fired in to pull one back for Brentford.

A tense finale followed but Darren Randolph did well to save from the Bees’ Josh Da Silva as Boro claimed back-to-back victories.

The hosts, for whom defeat was their fifth in six games, had chances to level after Judge’s effort, but Sergi Canos’ low shot lacked the power to trouble Randolph.

I had to leave at half- time so I could reach the RAH on time for the music. Kick- off changed to 5-30pm for the sake of TV- very annoying.

The football was again very frustrating. Brentford again played in their usual style which to me has become a cliche of football – possession without purpose. At one point the player with the most forward passes must have been the goalkeeper with his ‘hoofs’ up the pitch. The ball is passed along the back four but no one has the confidence, skill or permission to take the ball forward and commit the opposition who are able to remain back, covering space and not really being troubled. So as ever the stats give a lie to the effectiveness of the ‘Bees’. Players seem to not know each other.

I am finding it hard to be excited even though I have missed a few games with being away.

The Beesotted podcast and the fans response seems to place more emphasis on the opposition and bad periods during a match. I think there is something more fundamental going wrong.