Neil Warnock reveals why he recalled Djed Spence and Marvin Johnson against Bristol City

After switching to a 4-3-3 system against Reading last weekend, Boro reverted to a back three for their 1-0 win at Ashton Gate, a move which ultimately paid off.

Spence and Johnson dropped out of the side when Warnock said he was disappointed with the pair following last month’s 1-1 draw at QPR.

But, ahead of a busy run of fixtures, the Boro boss felt he needed to rotate his squad and change the side’s shape to match the Robins up on the flanks.

“To be fair, I was going with the same team as Saturday until last night,” said Warnock after the Bristol City win.

“Something came to me in the night - I know it sounds strange because people have other things - but mine was my wing-backs!

“I told my two coaches Kevin [Blackwell] and Ronnie [Jepson] that I fancied those two in this particular game.”

Warnock also handed playmaker Patrick Roberts his first appearance of the season after re-signing the 23-year-old on a season-long loan from Manchester City earlier this month.

“With Cardiff on Saturday I think a few lads maybe needed some minutes, and some lads also needed fewer minutes,” Warnock added. “We wanted to give Roberts some minutes and he got 70.

“The two wing-backs also needed some minutes and they came back in and I thought they were excellent.”

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