Finn Azaz is never shy of a shot, and he's absolutely got a thunderbolt into the top corner in his locker, but this one is ambitious, even by his standards, spinning on the left of the area and trying to whip into the far corner with a curling effort which sails high and wide.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

You have to do something now, you have played what 60 minutes but not yet created a clear cut chance and you have Ben Doak on the bench.

I think every game suits Ben Doak...

Straight down the other end and Hayden Hackney tries something spectacular to catch out City keeper Ivor Pandur from distance, though the keeper is equal to his effort.

Pandur gets clattered in the air by Emmanuel Latte Lath from a right-wing cross moments later and is awarded a free-kick by ref Leigh Doughty.

Two subs combine as Abu Kamara and Xavier SImons exchange passes on the right before Simons glides inside across the face of the area before being a left-footed strike well past the angle of post and bar from 20 yards.

Boro keeper Tom Glover gets his first touch of the half, nearly 13 minutes in, with his feet, 10 yards outside his penalty area, as Hull clear a corner. That tells a story.

Abdus Omur is the player being withdrawn by City, with Abu Kamara coming on to try to liven things up for Hull.

No exaggeration to say Boro have dominated every facet of this second half so far, particularly possession, and Ruben Selles is already plotting another switch.

Image source, PA Media

Mark Drury
BBC Tees commentator

I'm being told Jonny Howson is in the away end, out with a calf injury but here supporting his team-mates in the crowd.

Further developing his status as a Boro favourite.

Hull sub Ryan Giles produces a vital header to prevent the in-rushing Isaiah Jones getting on the end of a delicious left-wing cross from Lukas Engel.

Slightly nervy moment for Ivor Pandur in the City goal as Daniel Barlaser's corner curls inches over the bar onto the roof of his net.

Tigers defender Alfie Jones showcases his reading of the game once more as he stretches to prod a backpass to Ivor Pandur to prevent Finn Azaz getting onto the end of a throughball.

All Boro since the restart.

Lukas Engel lines up a veeerry ambitious 30-yard blockbuster, striking a moving ball, first-time with the outside of his left boot, but doesn't get a clean connection and the City defence are able to hack away.

Boro have come out with their tails up here...

Bright start from Boro as Isaiah Jones does well down the right and finds Hayden Hackney who plays in Finn Azaz to lash a low cross across goal and out the other side.

Emmanuel Latte Lath caught on his heels at the far post there.

Image source, Rex Features

Mike White
Commentator on BBC Radio Humberside

We were being positive, we were being generous, but this is a game that just really did not spark into life at all in the first half.

Both managers will feel there is a game to win here if they can just raise their game 10%.

Two City changes at the break as we get under way...

Ryan Giles, a former Boro loanee, and Xavier Simons are on for the hosts at the break, with Cody Drameh and Gustavo Puerta making way, which means Lewie Coyle is going back to right-back...

We've heard from a lot of frustrated managers in the past half hour, will we have another couple to listen to in the next hour or so, or will Ruben Selles or Michael Carrick conjure a way to win the day?

The players are heading back out, get yourselves ready... this one is going to burst into a firework display, I can almost guarantee it.

Watford

Image source, Getty Images

Watford boss Tom Cleverley said: “I would address what happened in both boxes.

“We can get ourselves in any type of mindset we want, we can make ourselves feel like we’re going to war, but if you’re not better than the opposition team in both boxes you’re going to struggle.

“Today the general performance I thought was quite good, we created a lot of chances, we limited them to a couple of counter-attacks and set-pieces, and came unstuck.

“It’s something, when we get time to work with the players, that will be high up on the agenda.

"It’ll be repetitive, it’ll be boring, but it’s something that we have to address that we’re not doing well enough.”

Peter Swan
Former Hull City player on BBC Radio Humberside

We've been comfortable, but we've not threatened and that's something the manager will need to work on.

Their players have the quality to change the game, you want a bit more life from the game.

I'm looking at the point of view of the club, they're doing well and they're not 2-0 down so that's good progress.

QPR

Image source, PA Media

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes said: "I think we need to put everything into perspective.

"When I look back at our two games away (over Christmas), I don’t understand why some teams had two games at home and others had two games away, in our case two long away games against good opposition.

"We know the Swansea game (a 3-0 Boxing Day defeat) was not good. Against Norwich (1-1) the first half was very good but the reality is that the team is working hard trying to go through adversities we’ve been facing.

"I’m very happy with seven points from four difficult games. We need to give credit to the players according to the amount of injuries, to the schedule and the level of the opposition.

"It’s not perfect, I will always ask for 12 points, but the commitment that the guys are showing even on bad days, those guys are working very hard. Today you can see leaders."

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

I'm not quite sure what Michael Carrick will make of this first-half.

You want more dictation from the players, the passing has been nice but nothing has come from it, there hasn't been many opportunities.

The tempo needs picking up massively, it's crying out for quality, there was nowhere near enough.

The opening 20 minutes were littered with mistakes.

Image source, Rex Features

Not the best first half of the year so far...

No Championship team have scored more in the opening 45 minutes than Boro, and yet here we are.

Ivor Pandur has dealt with a couple of efforts from Emmanuel Latte Lath and Riley McGree and Finn Azaz has blazed over while Steven Alzate swerved just wide from distance at the other end, but that's about all there is to say about that...

Oxford United

Image source, Rex Features

Oxford United boss Gary Rowett told BBC Radio Oxford:

"When I came in I know we are a team that can move the ball quite well at times. I know we are team that can build possession quite well at times. I want them to see different sides to the team and different sides to the game.

"To win a game away from home in the Championship you have to work really, really hard to that and you have to show a little bit of grit and determination, composure and quality- all of those things have to be there in an away performance.

"We started off a little bit tentative and I think that is because we haven't won away from home in a long time. I thought we settled down well we grew into the second half and started moving the ball.

"I was pleased with the way we grew into the game, I don't think we gave to much away."