FINDING THE RIGHT ATTACKING BLEND
Having gone almost 280 minutes without a goal, it is essential that Middlesbrough carry more of an attacking threat tomorrow than they mustered in Tuesday’s defeat at Cardiff.
Given that he is extremely unlikely to change his formation, Aitor Karanka might have to tinker with the personnel at his disposal.
Diego Fabbrini’s form has deserted him in the last few matches, so it might be time to take the Italian out of the firing line and restore Stewart Downing to the ‘number ten’ role. That would probably mean Carlos de Pena coming back into the side on the left of midfield.
With Cristhian Stuani still sidelined, Karanka’s options in the central striker role are limited. Kike could come back into the reckoning, but it would a surprise if David Nugent did not retain his place up front.
FORSHAW FOR SURE
Of all the players to have found themselves on the periphery of things at Middlesbrough this season, Adam Forshaw is the most unfortunate.
The former Brentford midfielder was the stand-out player throughout much of the pre-season period, but he is yet to make a single Championships start, with his only appearances in the starting line-up coming in the Capital One Cup.
Might it be time for that to change tomorrow? He offers more dynamism than either Grant Leadbitter or Adam Clayton, and his presence in the central area might help Boro get onto the front foot.
Who should be the player to make way? It would almost certainly be Clayton, but on the evidence of the last few matches, it is probably Leadbitter who is struggling for form most.
MOLINEUX MISERY
Having banished their Hillsborough hoodoo and lifted their City Ground curse already this season, can Boro complete a notable hat-trick by ending their Molineux misery?
Wolves’ home has not been a happy recent hunting ground for the Teessiders. They have lost their last four league matches at the stadium, and last year’s 2-0 reverse was one of their most emphatic defeats of the season.
This could be a good time to catch Kenny Jackett’s side as they were booed off as they suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Brentford on Wednesday and have failed to win six of their last eight matches.
History is not on Boro’s side though, and they will have to maintain their recent record of bucking bad trends if they are to return to winning ways.
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