Tony Pulis picked up his first win as Middlesbrough boss in their last game vs Preston. Boro were 2-1 down at halftime. But thanks to what must have been some half-time team talk, Boro came out for the second half looking a completely different side. This saw Pulis’s men pick up a 3-2 win away to, at the time, 7th place Preston.
This was certainly a positive for Boro as this season they have really struggled to beat any side in the top half of the table. The last time they did so before Preston was the second game of the season vs Sheffield United.
However, Boro’s attention must now focus on the FA Cup as they face as struggling Sunderland side in the third round this Saturday. Given that Pulis is still taking a look at all the players at his disposal, he is likely to do some serious rotating. Here is how they might line up.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Middlesbrough switched to this formation in the second half vs Preston. Which as already mentioned saw them come back to win. So, they are likely to stick with it again vs Sunderland.
GK: Dimi
Dimi has played in all of Boro’s cup games so far this season. Plus, Pulis has not yet seen him play. Therefore, he is likely to use this game to take a closer look at Boro’s second choice keeper.
RB: Cyrus Christie
Christie was taken off quite early in the Preston game which doesn’t bode well for him as it would seem Pulis already prefers Ryan Shotton at right back over him. However, given Pulis already knows what he is getting from Shotton, he is likely to given Christie another chance in the cup.
RCB: Dael Fry
Fry is the only first-team centre-back Pulis has yet to see play this season. This means he is likely to start him on Saturday.
LCB: Ben Gibson
Despite having quite a large squad, Boro are not exactly flourished for centre-backs, especially if Shotton is now a right back. So, Gibson is likely to once again start for Boro vs Sunderland.
LB: George Friend
Unfortunately for Middlesbrough, their main left-back this season Fabio has told Boro he would like to leave in January. Meaning that Friend is currently their only left back so he will have to start vs Sunderland.
CDM: Adam Forshaw
Forshaw has yet to make the matchday squad for Pulis’s two games in charge. But given he will surely want to assess everyone before he sells anyone, Pulis will likely start Forshaw in the cup to see how he plays.
CDM: Adam Clayton
Clayton had been left out by ex-Boro boss Garry Monk for some time with seemingly no good reason as his form wasn’t bad and he is a solid CDM. Many fans expected this to change when Pulis took charge. However, Clayton has yet to make the 18 for both of Pulis’s games. This has sparked rumours that he is leaving in January. But if this is not the case, the FA Cup would be the best place for Clayton to show what he can do.
RM: Patrick Bamford
Bamford is also a bit of a fringe player this season. He did look decent when he came on vs Preston though. He too may be given a chance to shine in the cup.
CAM: Lewis Baker
Baker has yet to make an appearance for Tony Pulis. And much like Clayton and Forshaw, Pulis will likely want to give him some game time before he decides if he is to be part of his plans.
LM: Marvin Johnson
Johnson has also yet to play a single minute for Tony Pulis. And given that he is a relatively new Boro signing he is unlikely to be solid in January and thus Pulis will need to assess him at some point, the cup is the best time to do that.
ST: Ashley Fletcher
Fletcher played 10 minutes for Pulis in his first game vs Villa. Apart from that though he hasn’t featured much. And much like with Johnson as Boro have just paid £7 million for Fletcher Steve Gibson would prefer Pulis to give him a chance before selling him. The Sunderland game is likely to be Fletcher’s chance.
