Middlesbrough v Wolves - five talking points

It was a miserable night for the 312 fans who made the long journey north to see their team fail to muster a first shot on target until they were 3-0 down.

The defeat continued Wolves' shocking record at Middlesbrough, where they haven't won since 1951. Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers picks out five talking points.

You can point to the fact Wolves made nine changes to the team that drew 0-0 at Brighton, and thusly chalk this one off, if you wish.

But the fact is that Middlesbrough made seven changes of their own. Diego Fabbrini, Kike and exciting Uruguayan winger Carlos De Pena came into the side from Boro's reserves.

And the majestic Tomas Kalas, on loan from Chelsea but who can't even get into their first team, ran things in defence. He'd walk into Wolves' first team.

The fact is that Boro appear to be far better equipped for promotion.

They have two 'first team' players in every position, possess the league's strongest squad, and have spent money in the process.

Kenny Jackett's post-match comments pointedly referred to Boro's quality, and how they had progressed over the summer.

"They have built on a good foundation from last season and are a very powerful side."

A sly dig at the Wolves hierarchy from a man undoubtedly frustrated at not being given a fair crack of the whip in the transfer market this summer, perhaps.

Jackett plumped for 4-4-2 in a bit to contain Middlesbrough and retain possession.

For the first half an hour it worked. Wolves were very tidy in midfield, with Jack Price, Kevin McDonald and George Saville in particular keeping the ball to good effect, albeit without hurting the home side.

But as soon as Boro ramped up the pressure, the mistakes began at the back, and it was no surprise to see yet another individual error lead to the opening goal. Thereafter Wolves were never in the contest, and Boro could easily have added another couple of late goals (hitting the bar and the side netting) to make it a humiliating rout.

While sympathy can be afforded to Jackett over player recruitment, he isn't helping himself with his team selections, particularly the formation.

With the number of attacking midfielders and wide men - Jed Wallace, Rajiv Van La Parra, Sheyi Ojo, Nathan Byrne (when not cup tied), David Edwards (when fit), James Henry - at his disposal, 4-2-3-1 is the formation that best suits Wolves.

It worked a treat last season. And while Jackett has understandably tried to negate the loss of Bakary Sako, he's changed the formation where he didn't need to.

One thing a struggling team surely demands is that players are played in their correct roles.

When all else is failing, you go back to basics and trust in your men, but you don't starting playing them out of position.

George Saville on the left wing and Rajiv Van La Parra up front are two experiments that, on this evidence, should not be repeated.

Saville was perhaps selected to help protect Sylvain Deslandes, who had a tough time against Albert Adomah.

And Van La Parra, as on occasion in pre-season, was asked to use his pace to unsettle the Boro defence.

Neither experiment worked. In fact you had to feel sorry for the players in question, who had both been itching for a first team chance and finally got it, only to find themselves in an unnatural position.

Saville was even bizarrely switched with Wallace to play on the right wing at times.

Square pegs have never fitted into round holes, and they never will.

Well this is a poser.

The defence has been poor for a while now, starting in pre-season and, the Charlton and Brighton home games aside, continuing in every game since.

Last night there was another excruciating error leading directly to a goal, with Ethan Ebanks-Landell getting in a proper muddle and scuffing the ball straight to Adomah.

There were other mistakes - Matt Doherty nearly sidefooted a corner into his own net - and in the second half the organisation of the back four failed for Boro's second and third goals, with Fabbrini and Adomah left unmarked.

But Wolves were just as bad going forward. Without James Henry they had no creativity and took until the 65th minute, when they were already 3-0 down, for their first shot on target.

Bright Enobakhare and Van La Parra showed exuberance and pace up front, but were starved of service.

In 10 matches in all competitions Wolves have scored 12 goals (four against League Two opposition in the first two rounds of the cup).

If Wolves are to get out of this rut, they need to show vast improvements at both ends of the pitch.

In the midst of negativity from all angles, it must be remembered that Wolves have the manager/head coach and the players to turn this around.

That's the most frustrating aspect of this poor start to the season - everyone knows they are so much better than they're currently showing.

Saturday's game at struggling Preston offers an excellent opportunity to get back on track - and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Danny Batth will most likely make his long-awaited return from injury, McDonald and Price should resume the midfield partnership that proved so effective at the end of 2014/15, and promising prospect Nathan Byrne could be in line for a full debut.

If he and James Henry are used on the flanks, Benik Afobe and Adam Le Fondre centrally and Price and McDonald in the middle, Wolves have more chance of flourishing than not.

Over to you, Kenny.