Middlesbrough Preview

Norwich Vs Middlesbrough Preview:

Formations:

● 4-2-3-1 in midfield and attacking 3rds.

● Drop into a 4-4-1-1 in defensive 3rd.

-> Very good at encouraging the opposition to press before exploiting the space in behind.

• Akpom sits deeper than Forss as a number 10.

• McGree and Jones are the wide midfielders.

• Giles and Smith overlap from LB and RB respectively. McGree and Jones stay narrow to allow space for the overlap.

• FBs stay deep in the build up to encourage the opposition to press.

• When the opposition press they create space between the lines.

• This space is exploited with direct passes from Howson and Hackney, the two CMs.

• Forss, Akpom, Jones and McGree makes runs ahead of the ball into spaces to receive these direct passes.

• Either the FBs or wide midfielders stay wide in the attacking 3rd to encourage opposition FBs to press.

• If the opponents FBs press, they leave space in the pockets.

• Middlesbrough can be caught out in transition due to the lack of a specialised number 6 (pivot/CDM).

• Howson and Hackney perform the roles of 8s rather than a double pivot, or a single pivot alongside an 8.

• This creates space between Middlesbrough midfield and defensive lines, often leaving the two CBs exposed in transition.