Great opener Andy.

I cant get away from this weekend being a real tough one for us.

I would certainly take a point, bringing three home would be a huge boost before an equally difficult trip to Leicester.

Watford haven't won an away game this season but yet have only lost one at home. Strangely though for a creative and pacy side they have scored less goals than us and can be suspect at the back at times, so in there is the hope i carry.

Many thanks for a very well researched opener, Andy.

Like you, I think Saturday’s game will be a tough one, but if we’re going to achieve promotion we’ll have to take points from difficult places. 

I’d take a draw at this stage but sneaking a win would be perfect, as would signs that our forwards have turned the corner and started taking their scoring opportunities. 

Thanks Andy I enjoyed that preview,quite comprehensive and thought provoking.

Browne has to start every game for me and I’m disappointed that Morris seems to now play more backward passes than forward. I like him as a player and perhaps his jaunts to the States have tired him or he has picked up some bad habits from the US coaches!

Interesting to see HH SCORE FROM A HEADER ! don’t think he’s scored that many goals that way. 

I think that our midfielders need some shooting practise because Morris and HH often have a shot at goal and see it go well wide of the post.

Star man for me has to be Sol Brynn who has saved the Boro on a few occasions and will now be getting watched by other clubs.

Quite refreshing to hear a manager put his hands up and say he got the team selection wrong at half time but had the gumption and courage to do something about it.

My forecast for this game due to stuttering forwards is unfortunately 👀!

OFB

Thanks for an excellent opener, Andy. It beautifully summarises the respective situations of the two clubs and is written with your usual fine verve and style. 

I agree that Watford is a tough gig. I’m quietly confident that our excellent defence will largely keep the Hornets out, but I’m much less sure that we can score more than one goal if we need to. 

Would I settle  for a point? Probably. But that would then increase the pressure on us to get something at Leicester. 

Everything crossed. 

Many thanks Andy for another excellent starter with your usual great analysis - I think I'd agree with your prediction of a return to a back three as Ayling appears to add an extra outlet and quality deliveries from the right - plus he almost curled in a winner at the weekend.

As to who will get the nod in an attacking perspective is harder to predict - I would like to see a few games with Conway, Strelec and Sene as a front three with Nypan in the number ten role - if only to see them settle in and get used to each other. Unfortunately, a back three will mean one of those missing out and I'm not sure a front three is enough fire power.

It's OK to give players like Whittaker and Burgzorg a fair go but those 4 mentioned previously are supposed to be our best attacking options and if we don't give them a chance to play together then I fear Edwards will be a long time in finding out which players may work together.

Then there's a seemingly a fit again McGree awaiting his introduction - unless he's not actually fit enough to last an hour without breaking down again.

Apparently, Watford played a low block against Coventry but hopefully Boro's lack of goals will prevent Gracia from adopting similar tactics on Saturday as there's currently no sign that Edwards team have worked out how to play against that system.

Sounds like it could be a tough game but a whole week to prepare may favour this Boro side!

Boro seem to be caught as we try to steer between the two options of having a back 3 with the the need for attacking wingbacks and a back four with attacking fullbacks and an extra man in midfield/attack.

If we play with a back three, we gain Ayling who reads a game brilliantly, has a great pass and does a great job supporting the right hand side wingback which means that we are more likely to attack down that side. However, whilst he came to us with a reputation as a great crosser of the ball, we haven't really seen the full attacking side of Brittain and that may well be one of our problems. 

In fact, it could be that sorting out the supply routes from the wings is the key element in addressing our goal-scoring problem. Against Wrexham we were facing a side that packed the midfield and left us space out wide on both sides but we didn't use it. One could say that this is no surprise because we don't have any wingers who can beat a man and get behind a defence. Thus, we need to play triangles if we want to create a breakthrough.

There is another problem/dilemma. Looking at the back three option, we have the three centre halves plus the twin midfield pivot. That makes five and leaves two wingbacks and three slots for attacking players. Playing a back three, we can't play Hackney, Morris and Browne together unless Hackney moves into the forward three. This splits up the Hackney and Morris axis. They have been wonderful together but Morris seems to have suffered from something - travel perhaps - and Browne looks to be a tremendous asset filling in the space in front of the back three. So do we drop Morris and play Hackney and Browne? Alternatively, do we play Morris and Browne as the pivots with Hackney behind Conway and Strelec. 

Maybe it will depend on the opposition but that isn't an obvious choice either. If you take Wrexham, we went into the opening half with the extra player up front and we were awful. So we switched to a back five and seemed to do better. Maybe having the back three frees up the wingbacks to be more attacking because the wide central defenders can cover the space behind the two wide players. So, the 3-4-2-1 opens up the route down the wings as long as you have individual players or combinations who can take advantage of the space. 

Personally, I'd look to play Conway and Strelec as our 9-10 and try to establish them as the key partnership. As for the rest, I'd try to go around a team that plays a low block and try to control a more attacking opponent by having a stronger three-man midfield.

Sounds simple, doesn't it.

UTB

I believe that one of the ambitions of Scott and the recruitment team was to bring together a squad of players who could be versatile with their position, within different formations and have the ability to readily switch in game to meet the oppositions counter formation.

In truth, it would seem they are well on their way to achieving that. Listening to us contributors we all can see the different options we have available to us now which, in some respects, is a real positive.

But yet, at the moment, this flexibility is, if you like, a bit of a problem and seems to also be giving Edwards and the coaching team a bit of a conundrum to solve.

We see every season new managers coming in to clubs, setting up different formations, different playing styles etc and it is often noted it can take a good number of games for a squad of players to get up to speed with these changes, often resulting in some poor results along the way, thankfully we seemed to have settled on two potential formations game to game and results have been good, in both formations the defence has been solid and given us the foundations to build.

Edwards and his coaching team will be looking at all the little tweaks available to them, working on them in training and hopefully they can come up with a number of varied solutions to a conundrum of a versatile squad, who are individually talented, to take that next step in becoming more creative up top whilst not upsetting the balance of keeping the back door locked.

@presidentjump 

I suppose the flip side of versatile as that you end up without specialists in key positions - Boro at the moment seem to lack a genuine centre-forward but a plethora of number ten's interchanging across the front line.

If Burgzorg is more of a wide player, Whittaker a bit lightweight and more of an inside right, Nypan young and learning and Conway, Strelec and Sene more like strikers than 10s, will Hackney and McGree establish themselves as our best no. 10s? I wouldn't be surprised.

The emergence of Browne has definitely created the option to push Hackney forward.

@werdermouth very true, however, the other flip of that is if that specialist position loses form / gets injured etc then you have another challenge presented.

The joys of being a head coach.

@selwynoz 

A great analysis of our situation and the problems that require solving.

Still we’re better off for players than we have been for some years. Pity we didn’t have some good wingers !

OFB

@andy-r    That was another of your superb Headliners, giving us all an opportunity to reply to the debate it instigated, as can be seen in the following good posts.

One question. If Edwards “preferred” system is a three, although we now know that he and the coaching staff are happy to move to a four, why did the recruitment team not pursue and purchase a “Edwards type” number nine, instead of Strelec?

Or did MFC want a more possibly versatile forward. As for Hansen, isn’t he supposed to be a wide player with pace. 

Thanks, Andy R, for another tour de force of a Match Preview. As has already been mentioned above, the analysis in that Preview has prompted others to join in the debate about how Boro should set up and about what might constitute Boro's best starting line-up - particularly the responses by Werder, Selwynoz and PJ.  

Rob Edwards is the manager.  He sees the players from day-to-day on the training ground and I assume he will speak to the physios etc about the fitness of the players, how this knock or that pull will affect Player X and how near Player Y is to full match fitness. In the past we, as supporters, have been fed some very doubtful information by the coaching/management staff.  You'll remember some of it: the likes of "Alves has been banging in goals from all angles at Rockcliffe" etc (pity he couldn't regularly do the same on the pitch on matchdays, then!). I suspect we learned to doubt what we were being told. 

But it seems to many as though Rob Edwards sees the game we see.  He may have loyalties to the players (so he won't want publicly to shame them unless in extremis) but when he gives information I get the impression we can take what he tellls us at more or less face value.  I very much doubt he'd have been telling us that Alves, on the training ground, was an early version of Harry Kane when the evidence of our eyes told a very different truth on Saturday afternoons. We've also seen that he takes on board the weight and responsibility of team selection and tactics and, if he gets it wrong (as all humans do, from time to time) he will accept his mistake and try to put it right. That gives me confidence.

The squad will have had a full week on the training ground.  Rob Edwards and his team will have analysed Boro's last game and at least a few recent games played by Watford. He will make a decision as to whether Boro should start with 3 at the back, 3 at the front, widemen, a number 10 or whatever other combination one could devise in a starting XI. I have a feeling he'll get it right. He will not have seen McGree play properly in a competitive game.  Even those of us who HAVE seen it, will have problems remembering it. But I have this vague haunting recollection that (on those fleeting periods when he was fit, and therefore most likely before he went off to play for Australia than after those games) McGree was the Boro player who offered the most creativity and vision of those available.  Boro desperately needs that creative and visionary element, and the abililty to use them to good effect, if automatic promotion is to remain realistic proposition rather than a dream.

How Edwards could mould that "new player" back into the team, and who he'd have to move aside to make that possible, I don't know.  I don't know whether it is a science or an art when deciding the make-up of a successful team. In what proportions do I have to mix oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, copper and potassium to give the spark I need to make the team work, or would I be at risk of blowing the team up?  What if I leave out the oxygen or increase the temperature?

Sometimes in the past I'd have felt as if some of our managers were just like mischievous fifth-formers throwing the chemicals into the mix with insufficent thought but rather the HOPE that there would be a useful little combustion rather than a shattering explosion which would destroy the fume cupboard if not the whole chemical lab.  Rob Edwards has read the books. His qualifications are much more scientifically-based than mine. He has conducted his own experiments and no doubt continues to do so in practice sessions between our chemistry lessons. He's hopefully been able to see what happens in recent days if you blend a little McGree or a pinch of Nypan into the mix.

We know the defence is holding up admirably and that there is a highly thought-off central defender due to swell the ranks in just over 2 months time. We know we need more creativity and a cutting edge up front.  The manager will know that as well.  It would not surprise me if his experiments revealed a solution from the materials he already has on the shelf. However if that were NOT the case but Boro were still to be within touching distance of the Holy Grail, I'm sure Steve Gibson wouldn't want to spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar. Though as the "cost of living crisis" develops, tar prices have risen a lot recently and it may now come in £10M dollops (or multiples thereof)....

As Pedro rightly suggests, the quality of your typically incisive and well crafted headliner, Andy, is very well illustrated by the responses it has provoked. Selwyn's piece is so detailed and thorough that I would be surprised if Boro's actual coaching staff are up to that level of analysis. 

Great responses too from PJ, Werder, Bob, Pedro and others.

I happened, by chance, to do the headliners for both Boro's games last season against Luton, so it fell to me to cover what Luton fans were saying about Rob Edwards, both during the turmoil at the club last November, and later after he had been sacked and the club was still attempting to come to terms with his legacy.

The main concern of fans on both occasions was how to the team were going to score goals, Luton having the worst record in the Championship in that department throughout the entire season. The same concerns that we now have here. No width, no pace, few chances created etc. And a midfield whose creativity was stifled by having so few outlets apart from the long ball for Carlton Morris to battle for.

Edwards' solution, the last thing he did before he was sacked, and a decision ratified by his successor ?

He signed Isiah Jones.

Boro's plan in selling Jones was to unblock the way for favoured protege Hamilton to take up his predestined place on the right.

@lenmasterman ...and how well that turned out for Boro and for Hamilton!

Watford one of them teams, on their day can hammer you, if they're off they're off it, I'm kind of concerned how in games we've become negative for periods, either you believe in yourself your team mates, your quality you will win, or your a problem and that includes the coaching staff. 

Right now I just say pick up points, bottom line, keep mooching along 

Before I forget, all credit to PJ for expressing his doubts about Boro's team selection before last Saturday's match. It takes some courage to commit yourself to an opinion when you can be proved completely wrong within 45 minutes. It makes a refreshing change from all of those fans who pile on criticisms after the event, often on matches that they have not even seen.

And PJ did you see a btl comment in the Gazette recently enquiring about a poster called jumparound, whose comments were being sorely missed?

Credit too for Pedro's post -Wrexham analysis which rightly concluded that recent events in which our seasoned signings have proved to be the bedrock of our success, whilst our projects are still finding their feet, might call into question our recruiting strategy over the past four or five seasons.

Indeed one of the jaw dropping revelations in Scott's recent interviews was that he now has 'a heightened sense' that he needs  to bring in 'more robust players... who are Championship ready'.

To which Warnock, Wilder and Carrick are all entitled to say, "it's about bleedin' time" having all been sacked by urging such a course deemed to be at odds with the club's 'philosophy'.

Equally jaw dropping to me was Scott's revelation that he doesn't see 'huge value in going to every single one of our games', preferring to watch them on tape after the event.(He could, of course, do both). He prefers to see blocks of 4 or 5 games and then have a few week's break.

What on earth does a Director of Football have to do on a Saturday afternoon that is more vital to his job, as well as more enjoyable, than watching his own team play?

Perhaps the answer lies in Scott letting slip that 'my team' is Arsenal.

@forever-dormo its a strange one with Micah Hamilton, a player who Pep had faith in to play in the champions league ( and score ) but who has gone rapidly downhill since.

Not sure what to think of it all, my thoughts when I watched him was that he clearly had something about him but he seemed to be one step forward and four steps back in most games.

Edwards tells us he is going to invest time with him on the training pitch, time will tell where it all ends up.

@lenmasterman Ah thanks Len, yes i felt prior to the Wrexham game that the starting line up, especially up top, looked very lightweight and in truth I got a feeling that changes were being  made more in hope than a convincing commitment and expectation.

I still look at the Gazette forum from time to time, there is some genuine posters in there but I do see my username being mentioned in a not so pleasant manner, I wasn't always welcomed in there, often accused despite always trying to be civil and trying my best to reason with some really absurd comments. I did notice somebody post that they knew where I was spending my time posting these days, I assume somebody off here, and it was a very pleasant comment so Thank You whoever that may have been.

What I will say is that this is such a refreshing, knowledgeable and respectful site and I certainly plan on continuing my time here.

@lenmasterman so true Len.

@presidentjump 

They have to find his best position, and push him, looks like he's  an out an out right winger , and that's the problem for him, Edwards doesn't use wingers, I like the idea of a winger on the bench if you need to change formation.Burzhog is too inconsistent , we've had too many of those types ,for too long

Ben Doak was a brilliant winger for Boro and still plays on the wing for Scotland

@malcolm - He was only here (on loan) for half a season before he was injured then returned to his parent club, but we did tend to rely on him so the team became almost a "one-trick team".  Double up on Doak and Boro will struggle etc. But he was a breath of fresh air and you could almost sense the fear when the ball went to him and he started to run at the opposition. Hopefully Boro did his career some good.

And, @PJ, it's a joy to have you on this Blog.  We may not always agree with each other but hopefully we disagree with some grace and, sometimes, with some wit.

Thanks Andy for another enjoyable and thought provoking opener which has stimulated some very good debate.

For me, it doesn’t matter what system you play if your players are not performing and we have had too many inconsistent performances from the like of Burgzorg, Whittaker, Hackney and Morris. 

The latter is beginning to reminder me of George Smith, for those of you who are old enough to remember him, he come to us from Portsmouth as a strong offensive midfielder but never ventured out of our half and when he was given the ball he passed it either backwards or side ways!  

Don’t get me wrong I like Morris but he has started slowing down our play and the coaches need to address this with him.

I also think RE needs to try and persevere with a settled side if he is to get the best from his players, particularly the likes of Strelec, who looks at times as if he is on a higher wave length than others; he often makes some great runs which end up being wasted as his colleagues fail to see him.

Given our current problems, a point will be a good point albeit we really need three if we are not to start drifting; it feels as if the wheels are slowly coming off and we need a quick repair to get back on track.  

Fingers crossed we can find the right team combination and player performances to squash the hornets. 😎

I’m due to write the starter for the Leicester game on Tuesday but have a bit of a dilemma, timing wise. I’d usually wait until Monday to publish, to give us all chance to digest the results and performance on Saturday, but I’ve got a meeting of the Sherburn Historical Society on that day and have to write a press release afterwards. 

It may be that I publish the starter on Sunday evening if that’s ok - if necessary we can have both threads running in tandem for a few days. I’m already a bit daunted by the high quality of recent starter posts - it’s a lot to live up to, so I’m working on the theory that any starter will be better than no starter! 

Don't worry Martin. Everything you contribute is always of interest, and it's important that leader writers don't think of their task as homework, but as an opportunity to express themselves, get something off their chest or go all nostalgic. The joy for us all is that there is no set formula.

If you're pushed for time, just keep it short and sweet. It will still be greatly appreciated. We are already spoiled in having two openers this week.

@k-p-in-spain 

Didn’t George Smith have windmill arms? I seem to recall him waving his arms around madly whenever he ran? Or is that my memory playing tricks? 

Btw, one and all, I’m really enjoying the quality of friends’ analysis on here following Andy’s brilliant opener. This blog genuinely offers something special. 

And Martin, I have no doubt that whatever you write for Leicester will be excellent, as usual, and as Len says, will be much appreciated. 

@clive-hurren.  You could be right Clive but that’s not what I recall about him. 😎

@martin-bellamy.  We are all just grateful for what the Leader writers produce for us to enjoy.  You do what you can and it will be appreciated by us all. 😎