Middlesbrough have established a very identifiable way of playing under Michael Carrick since he arrived on Teesside last October, but there may be scope to tweak the formation for games against those teams who attempt to stifle Boro’s swashbuckling style.
The current set-up sees Boro line-up with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with attacking full-backs, two central midfielders who are adept at keeping possession, three attacking midfielders (including a central player in a ten role) and one striker up front.
The formation has largely served the team well, giving the players plenty of license to break forward in numbers and score goals at will. The fact that Boro scored more than any other Championship side – barring Burnley – last season can pay testament to that.
The problem-if there is one-may arise when teams become wise to Boro’s strategy. A team that does not deviate in their approach can become predictable, with opposition managers counteracting the attributes that Carrick’s side possesses.
There have been times when Middlesbrough get overrun in midfield, Howson and Hackney get through a lot of work but they are not neccessarily classed as defensive midfielders.
This puts pressure on the back four to be the only line of defence and if there is no protection in front of them and if opposition attacks are not stopped efficiently, the defence will face wave after wave of attacking phases of play and will ultimately make a mistake at some point.
More control in midfield with this Boro formation
To alleviate that, maybe even during a game situation, Boro could switch to a 4-3-3. If you take Jonny Howson’s position and bring him slightly deeper into a central defensive midfield role (one that he would be most comfortable with given that he has even played as a centre-back) and play two number eight’s just in front of the versatile stalwart, you then have a bit more control in midfield.
Hayden Hackney and Riley McGree-both of whom have excellent ball retention-may well be suited to playing those roles just ahead of Howson. They could both comfortably play further forward supporting attacks in receipt of the ball and also have the engine and fitness to be able to play box-to-box.
Playing in this way would also make the side less vulnerable to counters when the full-backs play so high up the pitch.
Ahead of that three-man midfield, you could play two wide forwards, whether that is Silvera and Rogers, or Forss and Jones or even Alex Gilbert. The club has a wealth of talent in those positions. Those players would have a little less responsibility tracking back, as the extra man in midfield could help with defensive duties. It means the two wide forwards if you like, could concentrate on playing closer to the striker and contributing with goals.
It looks increasingly likely that Latte Lath is going to be the preferred option as a number nine. He is pacey, explosive and unpredictable. He would benefit from having plenty of movement and link up play around him, and Morgan Rogers has shown enough to suggest that he could help in that aspect and would also offer a goal threat.
It would be injudicious to assume that anyone should listen the advice of anyone other than the head coach/manager, let alone a journalist. However, there are some very good players at the club; players who can, as Carrick alluded to himself, play in a number of positions.
It will be interesting to see whether, moving forward, those players are asked to play in a different way. As long as points are accrued, I’m sure fans will be happy.