Despite picking up a win in their last game vs Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough have sacked Garry Monk after just six months in charge. Monk took Boro to 9th in the Championship, which is simply not good enough for a side who were favourites for promotion at the start of the season.
As a result, Monk was sacked on Saturday evening and Academy manager Craig Liddle has taken temporary charge of Middlesbrough. Liddle’s first game in charge will be against 23rd place Bolton Wanderers. A win for Boro could see them move into a playoff spot
Here is how they might line up.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
This has been Middlesbrough’s go to formation this season. And given Liddle is only in charge temporarily, he is likely to stick with this system as it is one the players know well.
GK: Darren Randolph
Randolph has started every league game for Boro this season and has been generally solid between the sticks, baring a few mistakes. He will start vs Bolton
RB: Cyrus Christie
Christie, like Randolph, is set to start for Middlesbrough in the league this season. He has started every Boro league game. Expect one because he was suspended. So, he is very likely to start on Tuesday.
RCB: Ryan Shotton
Shotton made just his second start in a Middlesbrough shirt vs Sheffield Wednesday. His first was vs Brentford in which he looked awful. However, his defensive display was somewhat improved vs Wednesday. It was also his goal that gave Middlesbrough a 2-1 lead and all three points on Saturday.
LCB: Ben Gibson
Gibson has also started every league game for Boro this season. This would suggest he will retain his place when Boro hosts Bolton.
LB: Fabio
Fabio has been largely decent for Middlesbrough this season. However, like most of Boro’s defence, he has made a couple of errors this season. Despite this, he will start vs Bolton.
CDM: Grant Leadbitter
Leadbitter missed a penalty for Middlesbrough in their last game. Apart from that though, he had a decent game and as the Leadbitter Howson duo has been Boro’s go to in CM this season, expect to see it again on Tuesday.
CDM: Jonny Howson
Howson finally opened his Middlesbrough scoring account as he netted a long-range equaliser vs Wednesday. Although the keeper probably should have done better with it. But given Boro won that games and Howson scored, he is likely to start again.
RM: Stewart Downing
Downing has been putting together a string of solid performances this season after working his way back into the Middlesbrough squad. He continued this in their last game with an excellent display which was capped off with him getting the assist for Ryan Shotton’s winner.
CAM: Patrick Bamford
Bamford had somewhat of a mixed game vs Sheffield Wednesday. He missed a very easy chance in the first half for Boro. But he did cause Wednesday a few problems which eventually lead to him being brought down and winning a penalty. He also set up Braithwaite for a great chance. He is likely to start again vs Bolton.
LM: Martin Braithwaite
Braithwaite had another quiet game for Boro. The winger has shown some flashes of quality since arriving on Teesside. However, he will sometimes disappear in games. Boro will be hoping he has one of his better games vs Bolton.
ST: Britt Assombalonga
Assombalonga failed to score once again in Boro’s last game vs Sheffield Wednesday. But given that he is still their top scorer by some distance, Liddle is very likely to stick with him up front vs Bolton.
