Tommy Conway is yet to fully settle in at Middlesbrough and his performance against Cardiff City reflected that.
One of Boro’s main priorities during the 2024 summer transfer window was signing a new centre-forward.
Josh Coburn has left Middlesbrough for Millwall on loan, with Michael Carrick wanting a more experienced backup to Emmanuel Latte Lath.
The Teessiders eventually settled on Tommy Conway to fill this role, paying fellow Championship outfit Bristol City £4.5m for his services.
The 22-year-old has hit double figures in the previous two campaigns despite playing for a side who have consistently finished in midtable or lower for several years.
In turn, once Conway started playing for a team like Middlesbrough who create a lot more chances, he was expected to shine.
So far though, the forward has struggled to show his best form for the Teessiders, with Conway’s stats for Cardiff City vs Middlesbrough concerning.
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Tommy Conway reveals Michael Carrick Middlesbrough tactics
Despite failing to reach his full potential in the North East just yet, Conway appears to be happy with his time at Middlesbrough so far.
Ahead of linking up with Scotland for the international break, the striker took part in an interview, as per Teesside Live, in which he shared an insight into Carrick’s tactical approach.
The former City striker revealed how the Boro boss gives his attackers a lot more freedom to interchange positions in the final third.
He said: “I’ve always been a number nine – a goalscorer. That’s how I see myself. But, you know, in this team, I think players are free in the final third to almost interchange.
“You’ve got to play to a structure, but it almost doesn’t matter which position you fill.
“So, whether I’m playing as a number ten, whether I’m off the right or playing on the last line, there’s a lot of freedom and flexibility.”
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Michael Carrick approach does not suit Tommy Conway
Conway is capable of playing on the left flank or in a slightly deeper role but his best position is clearly centre-forward.
The Scotsman was deployed on the left when Middlesbrough beat Cardiff 2-0 this past weekend.
Conway really struggled before he was hooked midway through the second half, highlighting how this free-flowing style of Carrick’s is not really working for him.
The centre-forward was most prolific for Bristol City when playing as a number nine and if Boro want to get Conway firing, they probably need to play him through the middle and not allow him to roam from that position too much.
However, there is the small matter of Latte Lath who, despite the Deadline Day drama, remains Carrick’s primary striker.
It is easy to see why the Boro boss was trying to fit Conway into the team in other ways, giving him more of a licence to roam in the final third but right now, it is yet to prove a wise decision.