Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock sets challenge for Marvin Johnson and Djed Spence ahead of Watford trip

Boro finished as the Championship’s lowest scorers last season but opened their 2020/21 campaign with a 4-3 win over the Shrews in the Carabao Cup first round.

Like they did in pre-season, Boro operated with a back three and wing-backs, with Johnson and Djed Spence starting on the flanks.

When asked by the Mail about Johnson after the match, Warnock said: “I don’t know whether you noticed but he doesn’t need telling twice to cross it early and we’ve been working on that aspect. He’s one of the best crossers Marv.

“I just think him and Djed should look at scoring more goals, Djed is just a bit too far out of the box when Marvin is crossing the ball so we have to work on that.

"We haven’t done much attacking in that respect so we have a tough week ahead.”

Warnock admitted there are some issues which need addressing ahead of next week’s league opener at Watford, especially in defence.

Yet the Boro boss also wants his side to play exciting football, especially as they were the Championship’s lowest scorers last campaign.

“We’ve got to score more goals, I hate the thought of being the lowest scorers in the league.” Warnock added. “I like excitement, and I like crosses and shots and headers.

“We could even have had one or two more tonight, but scoring four is very, very good at such an early stage of the season.”

Last season’s top scorer Ashley Fletcher netted a brace against Shrewsbury and Warnock was impressed with the 24-year-old.

"The strikers have really put a shift in. Ashley deserved his two goals, and I thought he was the pick of the crop.

"Britt did a lot of work and together, they look good. But we are looking at other players to come in to help out because they can’t do that week in, week out.”

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