Alves can be the key to survival

Looking at the number of points Boro has won this season playing Afonso Alves from the start may provide the key to survival in the Premier League.

Middlesbrough is fighting for their existence in the Premier League. With three rounds remaining Boro is three point behind 17th placed Hull City, so Mondays clash away against regional rivals Newcastle, who also are in the relegation zone, is crucial.

Afonso Alves has started 23 Premier League games this season, and in those games Middlesbrough has achieved 25 points scoring 21 goals. In the 12 games were Afonso Alves wasn't playing from the start Middlesbrough has only got 6 points and 4 goals.

Out of Middlesbrough latest six games Afonso Alves has started on the bench in three of them: against Stoke, Arsenal and Manchester United. Middlesbrough lost all three matches.