Middlesbrough tactical tweak with one transfer could help many players – notably Morgan Whittaker.
Middlesbrough are currently reviewing what changes will be needed next season
Morgan Whittaker of Middlesbrough and Luke Ayling applaud the fans
Morgan Whittaker of Middlesbrough and Luke Ayling applaud the fans (Image: Greig Cowie/REX/Shutterstock)
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Middlesbrough could look very different for the start of next season, with a thorough review currently taking place to determine what went wrong this term, and what needs to improve for next.
While the decisions made in that review will ultimately determine whether Michael Carrick continues as Boro head coach or not, the current feeling is that the Manchester United legend will still be in charge at the Riverside for the new campaign. Exactly what changes will come though are to be determined.
Regardless, Boro face another big summer as they say goodbye to five loan players and have also announced Anfernee Dijksteel will depart at the end of his contract next month. In turn, recruitment staff have identified five key areas in which they wish to strengthen the squad as a priority.
READ MORE: Michael Carrick sacked LIVE: Middlesbrough reaction and new manager search updates
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While that will naturally prove a big factor in whether Boro can improve upon this season’s disappointing tenth-place finish next term, undoubtedly, getting more out of the existing players at the club should also be high on the agenda. Of the potential options to explore in order to achieve this could be a tactical or stylistic change for the new season.
Carrick has always believed in the way he wants his Boro side to set up. Despite the frustrations of the past two seasons, he’d point to the success of the first season in charge when the right options were available, the end to last season when injuries weren’t such an issue, and also Ipswich Town’s promotion last term, as proof the set-up can work.
But with Boro’s options in mind, and a particular desire to get the best out of January signing Morgan Whittaker, a slight tweak on Carrick’s preferred way could yield the desired results. As well as helping the £6 million capture from Plymouth Argyle, the change in approach could also benefit a number of other players at the club too.
The tweak in question would simply mean flipping the way Carrick likes his Boro flanks to operate. Ordinarily, the desire has been for the right-back to tuck in when Boro have possession, forming a back three that allows the left-back freedom to join the attack. Space is created on the left for the wing-back because the left-sided forward is effectively free to roam inside and operate as a second number ten.
In a simple change, Boro could simply invert this tactic and have the left-back be the more defensive-minded full-back, with the right-back having the freedom to attack, and the right-sided forward being encouraged to float inside – something that the left-footed Whittaker does naturally.
Yet to score in a Boro shirt in what has been a disappointing spell on Teesside so far, his best in a Plymouth shirt came while supported by an overlapping full-back in Bali Mumba, as movement off the ball drew attention away from him and offered him the space to cut inside and unleash his deadly long-range effort. He finished his first full Championship season at Plymouth with 20 goals.
As well as Whittaker, the change could suit many more players around him. Neto Borges has always looked more comfortable defensively than attacking, while he started inverting to the middle of the park when going forward at one stage in the season in order to allow Delano Burgzorg to hug the left wing as he prefers. Borges proved himself as a centre-back when needed towards the end of this term.
With Dijksteel to leave this summer, the switch would likely help to highlight Luke Ayling’s attacking strengths while negating his recent weakness defending against pacy wingers too, though one of Boro’s five summer priorities is to sign a new first-choice right-back. If it was decided early enough that this would be the ideal direction of travel, Boro’s search for a new right-back would be for an attack-minded full-back, as opposed to a more defensive-minded option.
In terms of players it might not suit, Alex Bangura has always looked a more competent attack-minded wing-back whenever he’s played for Boro, while McGree perfected the left-sided roaming role. Both have suffered injury troubles in the past two years diminishing their importance, however. McGree though would likely be able to perform the same role from the right, and potentially even benefit in the same way Whittaker would, or could provide cover for Finn Azaz at ten.
As Carrick and Boro ultimately seek the changes that will make the difference next season this could be the slightest of changes that produces big results for a number of players. Most would likely want to see a complete overhaul of style and plan next season, but it remains to be seen if this would be enforced or wanted by Carrick.
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