By Michael Richardson
Middlesbrough kick off their new campaign away at Luton tonight, beginning the 2019/20 season, after a summer break which seems to have gone quicker than Tony Pulis running to his phone after hearing a 6-foot 7 striker is for sale.
New ‘Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate has already begun to implement a new playing style at the club, with pace and directness being at the forefront. But you’ve heard that already, the new, exciting play we’ve all been promised.
The shrewd acquisitions of Marcus Browne and Marc Bola in the last week will certainly help to introduce this new playing philosophy throughout the season, but many fans, myself included, have struggled to form a good idea of how we will line up to kick off the season, with the squad still fairly bare and more signings to be made. So, in the words of MC Hammer, let’s break it down.
In Net
Now unless you’ve been living under The Infinity Bridge for the last year, or you’re a Sheffield United fan, you will accept that Darren Randolph was, by far and away, the best goalkeeper in the league last season, possibly ever. Ok, maybe that’s a slight over-exaggeration: we do have to be fair to Brad Guzan of course, but our Irish shot-stopper is the obvious choice to start in net against newly promoted Luton, and despite fan favourite Tomás Mejías returning to the club this summer, there is really no debate that if fit, super Darren should start the game.
Last season’s Middlesbrough Player of The Year and Players’ Player of the Year had the highest save percentage of any other ‘keeper in the league last year, conceding the joint lowest goals per 90 minutes. He is arguably the best signing the club made during Garry Monk’s tenure, and I think every Middlesbrough fan will simultaneously drown themselves in garlic sauce from the local takeaway if he’s still here come 5pm on Thursday, amid interest from Aston Villa.
The Back Four
It seems weird to finally refer to our defence as a back four after watching what felt like a back eight at times last season, but it looks as though Woodgate’s new defensive system may allow Boro to score more goals this season, mainly stemming from the fullbacks attacking down the flanks. The right-back position is one of great interest for Friday’s match, with Jonny Howson, Djed Spence and Ryan Shotton all viable options for the starting berth.
The position was heavily occupied by the latter last season, with Jonny Howson occasionally operating as a right-wing back, and performing arguably better there than in centre midfield. For this reason, alongside the fact that Djed Spence is inexperienced in the first team thus far and the need for Ryan Shotton to slot in at centre-back to cover for the injured Dael Fry, Howson is likely to start the season at right back.
Alongside Ryan Shotton at centre-back, and likely to captain the side as he did against Saint-Étienne, is Daniel Ayala. One of the top Championship defenders of the last decade, Ayala will be looking to build on last season’s subpar performances and cement his status once again as one of the league’s finest, in what will be his sixth season at the club. Not only has he been a vital component of the ‘Aitor La Bamba’ song in seasons gone by, but he has also been a significant figure both on and off the pitch for ‘Boro in his time here.
George Friend has been ‘Boro’s starting left back for seven years now, playing for the club throughout the peak of his career and making over 250 league appearances, and having been named captain for the season, he’s the obvious choice to start against Luton. However, he has regularly played in the centre of defence during friendlies, and I expect to see him take up a role as centre-back cover on the bench with Hayden Coulson starting the match on the left side of defence, having greatly impressed during pre-season.
New signing Marc Bola may eventually become a regular in the starting team, but he hasn’t had the six weeks of build-up and preparation on the training pitch, putting Coulson, a product of the club’s academy, at an advantage, thus making it likely he will start the match. He possesses more pace and trickery than Friend, who, despite being a fantastic servant to the club, may be set for a more sporadic role this season.
The Holy Trinity
Midfield is an area that has been a source of long-term trouble for the club, and in losing John Obi Mikel at the end of the season, we not only lost a fantastic song but a great player who really knew what it meant to play the defensive midfield role. However, that is no attempt to knock Adam Clayton, who will be one of the first names on the team sheet.
‘Boro fans often forget just how good Clayton can be on his day, and if Woodgate’s side do successfully pull off a high pressing game, his role as the anchor of the midfield becomes pivotal, as well as his often-overlooked range of passing to ‘Boro’s frontmen. It was just over three years ago that Clayton was regarded as one of the league’s best midfielders, and under a coach who trusts him in Jonathan Woodgate, he could once again recreate the form that earned him that title. We’re going to need that big, beautiful beard back first though Adam.
With Lewis Wing being an obvious choice in the line-up due to being the greatest player of all time, the final midfield spot can be selected from three – Paddy McNair, George Saville and Marcus Tavernier. I believe the latter will start the match, as he possesses more pace and quicker thinking than the two aforementioned. Tavernier will surely have a big role to play in Woodgate’s new system, as he meets the criteria in terms of pace and ability to score goals, holding the best scoring frequency for ‘Boro in the current squad, averaging a goal every 167 minutes. Wing and Tavernier offer enough attacking prowess whilst still being defensively capable, whilst Adam Clayton can cover and allow them to attack the box.
The Goal Getters
The place in which Woodgate’s new system will really succeed or fail is the front three. Now we can all agree that Britt Assombalonga should start upfront, ahead of Ashley Fletcher and Rudy Gestede, who could both be leaving the club before the deadline. The intellectuals amongst you may have realised that by having Marcus Tavernier in midfield and Hayden Coulson at left back, that only leaves two options for the wings – Marcus Browne and Marvin Johnson.
Whilst Johnson receives a lot of stick from fans, he is a proven player – he has performed very well for Oxford in the past and has shown glimpses of his quality at the club. In addition to this, despite playing just eleven games, he was part of a promotion-winning squad at Sheffield United last season. He does possess dribbling and crossing ability, and despite it being likely he will be replaced in the starting XI before the deadline, he could still be an asset in the squad, and seeing him against former ‘Boro man Martin Cranie could make for an interesting encounter on Friday.
New signing Marcus Browne heavily impressed in the first half of the match against Saint-Étienne, and with big boots to fill as the new #MB10 after Martin Braithwaite’s departure (no, I’m not serious), he has a chance to make a great first impression under the Sky cameras on Friday night.
Do you agree that a 4-3-3 is Boro’s most likely system for today’s game? Which players would you pick for ‘Boro’s first league match? Let us know on Twitter @boropolis
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