Middlesbrough continued their 2024 pre-season preparation on Wednesday evening with a meeting against Gateshead.
Michael Carrick is aiming to secure Middlesbrough promotion to the Premier League at the third time of asking.
Boro’s 2024/25 Championship season gets underway on August 10th versus Luke Williams’ Swansea City.
Before that, the Teessiders are in the midst of their 2024 pre-season campaign, which began properly with a 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers on July 20th.
Middlesbrough’s second fixture of the summer saw them take on Gateshead at the Gateshead International Stadium on July 24th.
Boro secured a 1-0 win on the day thanks to a header from a returning Darragh Lenihan.
With that in mind, here are three things we spotted from Middlesbrough’s pre-season clash with Gateshead.
Jonny Howson given new role for Middlesbrough
Jonny Howson has been one of Middlesbrough’s most consistent performers since his transfer from Norwich City in 2017.
The 36-year-old has won the Middlesbrough Player of the Year award on two occasions in recent seasons and is the club captain.
Howson was a key figure in Boro’s midfield during the 2023/24 season but was handed a new role against Gateshead.
With Dael Fry absent, Carrick opted to start Lenihan and Howson as Boro’s centre-back duo on Wednesday.
The Englishman has previously filled in at right-back for Middlesbrough but could now be deployed as a makeshift centre-back in 2024/25.
Howson did an admirable job out of position but it will be interesting to see how he fares in that role against tougher opposition.
Anfernee Dijksteel is still part of Michael Carrick plans
Since the arrival of Carrick at the Riverside Stadium, Anfernee Dijksteel has fallen out of favour.
Even with Middlesbrough’s injury issues at the back in the previous campaign, the Dutchman saw his game time limited, last completing 90 minutes on December 23rd, 2023.
Reports last month claimed Middlesbrough have made Dijksteel available for a summer transfer exit.
However, Carrick is still seemingly keen to have the right-back involved going into the new campaign.
Dijksteel started the win over Gateshead and played close to 60 minutes ahead of Luke Ayling.
Dan Barlaser still has something to offer Middlesbrough
Reports last month stated that Trabzonspor submitted a bid to sign Dan Barlaser.
After the arrival of Aidan Morris from Columbus Crew and Law McCabe breaking into the first-team squad, the sale of Barlaser seemed a wise move.
However, the 27-year-old showed he still has something to offer Middlesbrough with his display against Gateshead.
Barlaser, along with Hayden Hackney, dominated the midfield on Wednesday evening and provided a great assist for the only goal of the game.
While he is unlikely to start every game in 24/25, Barlaser could still prove useful in Boro’s promotion push.