Middlesbrough's striker concern, formation options for Cardiff clash plus George Saville reward: Bristol City talking points

After a couple of days to reflect on the fixture, we take a closer look at where it leaves Neil Warnock’s side ahead of Saturday’s trip to Cardiff.

Encouraging formation options

For most of this season Boro have operated in a 3-5-2 system to give them extra security at the back.

It’s a formation which appeared to suit most of the squad last season, particularly the likes of Djed Spence, Marvin Johnson and Hayden Coulson who occupied the wing-back positions.

Yet Warnock also wants his side to operate in a 4-3-3 set-up, like they did against Reading on Saturday, when Marc Bola and Anfernee Dijksteel started as the full-backs.

Boro still looked solid at the back during that goalless draw with the Royals, a team which have scored in every other league game so far this season.

After reverting to a back three against Bristol City on Tuesday night, it will be interesting to see which formation Warnock chooses against his former side Cardiff this weekend.

The encouraging thing is that Boro have looked organised and tough to break down regardless of the system, conceding just one shot on target against Reading and Bristol City combined.

Boro’s striker concern

After club captain Britt Assombalonga picked up a knock in training, Chuba Akpom was left to lead the line on his own against Bristol City.

The latter was replaced in stoppage time at Ashton Gate and was visibly weary when he was taken off in stoppage time.

Warnock admitted he wanted to withdraw the striker sooner, yet his lack of options on the bench meant Akpom stayed on.

When the 24-year-old did make way, it was centre-back Nathan Wood who took his place due to the defender’s height and aerial ability.

With last season’s top scorer Ashley Fletcher set to be sidelined until January and Assombalonga touch and go for Cardiff, Warnock is in desperate need of another striker.

The Boro boss is still hopeful the club can make use of the free agent market to add another forward to the squad.

George Saville gets his reward

During his two full seasons at Boro, it hasn’t always been clear what George Saville’s best position is.

In his final season for Millwall, the Northern Ireland international netted 10 league goals for the Lions, yet he’s never quite looked like the goalscoring midfielder Boro fans were expecting.

Since his move to the Riverside, Saville has been deployed just in front of the back four, as a wing-back and on the left of midfield but struggled to find a level of consistency.

Yet the 27-year-old is the only player to start every league game since the arrival of Neil Warnock, and it was clear to see why at Ashton Gate.

As Warnock put it, Saville ‘covered every blade of grass’ in a box-to-box midfield role.

The Northern Irishman’s energy in the engine room was key against Bristol City, with Sam Morsy and Jonny Howson forming a robust midfield trio.

That desire and persistence paid off in the 73rd minute, when Saville’s pressure high up the pitch led to a defensive mistake and the winning goal.

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