Middlesbrough's Marcus Browne dilemma, potential area which needs strengthening plus interesting Bournemouth selection call: Talking points

After a couple of days to reflect on the match, which saw the Teessiders make seven changes, we take a closer look at where it leaves the squad ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Bournemouth.

Marcus Browne dilemma

During pre-season, there was a quiet sense of optimism about Marcus Browne among Boro supporters.

The 22-year-old clearly has ability and impressed during a loan spell at Oxford in the second half of last season, scoring five goals in 13 appearances while helping the U’s reach the League One play-off final.

When he returned to Boro in July, Browne gave a refreshing interview with the club’s website, saying he was in a much better place than when he left and that he’d returned with a different attitude.

Yet it’s hard to see quite where Browne will fit into Boro’s starting XI if Neil Warnock continues to play with a 3-4-1-2 formation.

The Boro boss would like to play with natural wingers in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 system, but feels playing with a back three and wing-backs suits the majority of his squad.

Against Barnsley, Browne started in one of the striker positions alongside Ashley Fletcher but was rarely involved against the Tykes.

Some may feel Browne could operate in the advanced midfield role which Marcus Taverneir has taken up in the last few games.

Even so, it remains unclear how Warnock will get the best out of the youngster this campaign.

Boro’s lopsided options

With Boro set to play with wing-backs for the foreseeable future, Warnock took a closer look at his wide options on Tuesday evening.

On the left it is clear that Marvin Johnson is the manager’s first-choice pick, yet Marc Bola was given an opportunity in that position against Barnsley.

Hayden Coulson would also prefer to play on the left but started on the right against Barnsley to give both himself and Bola a chance.

The 22-year-old was one of Boro’s best performers last season but has lost confidence since the restart and didn’t look comfortable on the opposite flank.

Djed Spence would usually start in that position and, now that Anfernee Dijksteel is being deployed as a right-sided centre-back, appears to be the only natural option.

It does leave the question, do Boro need to sign another right-sided player before in the transfer market?

Bournemouth selection call

One of the few positives to come from Tuesday night was that new signing Sam Morsy clocked-up 70 minutes following his arrival from Wigan.

Warnock said on Monday he wanted another option for the holding midfield slot in case something happened to Jonny Howson.

So could Howson and Morsy play together?

Howson has been a lynchpin in Boro’s midfield since Warnock took charge, starting every league game apart from the win at Sheffield Wednesday when he was suspended.

Warnock is also a big fan of George Saville, who has started every league game under the Yorkshireman in a box-to-box midfield role.

Could Saville move into a more advanced midfield position? Will Paddy McNair move back into the engine room? Will Marcus Tavernier keep his place?

It will be interesting to see what Boro’s midfield looks like against Bournemouth this weekend.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Hartlepool Mail website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.