New manager offers new opportunities

HOW will Middlesbrough set up and play under Rob Edwards? It’s one of the biggest questions that remains unanswered after a busy first few days in the job for the new head coach.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Having now been announced, introduced himself to the majority of his new players and conducted his first media duties, Edwards is now feet firmly under the table at Boro. Next week the real work begins on the training pitches, as he begins to mould his Boro side into the vision he has for them.

A lot remains unclear on that side, with Edwards understandably less revelatory with regards to his tactics and game plan. He’s offered hints at how he wants Boro to look under him. High intensity, attack-minded, with a fast tempo and playing with control through keeping the ball away from their goals. It’s an exciting prospect.

What isn’t yet clear is if the former Forest Green and Luton Town boss will stick to his previously favoured wing-back systems or keep Boro in a back four. Exactly how they use the ball to get the best out of the players is to be seen too.

If, as expected though, Boro play a high-pressing game with a desire to get the ball from defence to attack quickly, then these are the five existing Boro players who could particularly benefit.

Darragh Lenihan