Former Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith says a lack of consistency was to blame for Middlesbrough's disappointing season.
Boro sat fifth with six games to go but a run of four points from their final half-dozen games saw them slide to finish 10th, four points short of the play-off places.
Smith, who retired in February due to an ankle injury, told the BBC's 72+ EFL podcast: "I think Middlesbrough have been one of the teams who have really struggled for that consistency.
"I've seen runs where we've gone unbeaten for a few games and runs where we haven't won for a few games.