Middlesbrough travelled to Stoke in the hopes of picking up a much-needed win. Boro made five changes from their defeat last week including returns for Friend, Clayton, Ayala, Gestede and Leadbitter. However, from the get-go, Middlesbrough looked second best on the day.
Stoke City created countless chances and eventually broke through in the 29th minute. The goal came from a Glen Whelan over the top ball to Arnautovic who turned defender George Friend, danced passed Valdes and slotted into an open net. Things went from bad to worse for Boro as poor defending by Espinosa lead to Crouch connecting with a Stoke corner and knocking it down for Arnautovic who scored his second of the game. In the second half Boro somewhat came into the game but a lack of creativity, attacking options and quality means they have now scored just one in their last five league games. Furthermore, Middlesbrough have now dropped into the relegation zone for the first time all season.
Gestede over Negredo
Since joining Middlesbrough on loan from Valencia, Negredo has made 25 appearances for Boro and has been their go-to striker. However scoring just 6 goals in 25 games meant that Karanka opted a different front man against Stoke.
This was Gestede’s first start for the Boro and he was not great. The 6ft’4” striker did offer an aerial presence that Negredo does not bring as well. Despite this, he created very few chances and barley had a sniff at goal. Although Negredo has not scored many this season, he does drop back more and try and create for the team. Something Gestede did not do very well.
The result was for most of the game, aimless long balls to Gestede who knocked them down to nobody resulting in Boro losing possession a lot. Negredo isn’t exactly great but this has proved he is currently Boro’s best striker.
Time for a formation change?
Once again Middlesbrough opted for their go to 4-1-4-1 formation playing three defensive midfielders. This time out it was Clayton, Leadbitter and De Roon. Since switching to this formation after securing draws against Arsenal and Manchester City, Boro have looked less than dangerous in attack as the formation requires them to sacrifice the central attacking midfield position.
This has meant they have scored just 19 all season. After failing to score in 9 of their last 13 it is surely time for a formation change. Middlesbrough looked poor in attack once again. They created little to no chances and registered just two shots on target all game. That sort of stat is quickly becoming common in every Boro game. It is also a large reason why Middlesbrough have not won all year and are now in the relegation zone. If they wish to start scoring more a switch back to 4231 may be in order.
Super Arnautovic
After failing to score in his last 5 appearances in the Premier League, Arnautovic certainly came back to his best today. The Austrian was a hand full for Boro all game. George Friend made his return to left back for Boro after being out for 5 weeks with a calf injury and had one of his toughest challenges all season.
Friend struggled to cope with the Stoke winger all game and the first of Stokes and Arnautovic’s two goals came when he easily turned past Friend then Valdes and slotted home. He then put the game to bed with his second goal connecting with Crouch’s header to turn the ball home past Valdes. Arnautovic was Stokes best player on the day and my man of the match. Unfortunately, his afternoon was cut short due to injury and he was subbed off in the 65th minute.
Overall Middlesbrough looked poor once again, creating very little up front and even looked shaky in defence today. Stoke City, on the other hand, put in a much better performance than against Spurs. Arnautovic also looked as good as he ever has.
