Sam Morsy situation explained after Wigan Athletic move as Middlesbrough assistant comments on tactical switch

Morsy, 29, was club captain at Wigan Athletic before signing a three-year deal at Boro but is yet to start a league game for the Teessiders.

The Egyptian international wasn’t eligible to play against Watford in Boro’s opening Championship match this season but did start against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.

Yet Jonny Howson and George Saville have been regular starters in midfield under Neil Warnock, meaning Morsy had to settle for a place on the bench against Bournemouth and QPR in the league.

Boro’s new signing made a positive impact after coming on against Rangers, creating a good opportunity for striker Britt Assombalonga in the closing stages.

When asked about Morsy by the Mail after the game, Boro’s first-team assistant Kevin Blackwell said: “The great thing for the manager is that if your players are doing well it’s very hard to make a change.

“They have been doing very well, the players at Middlesbrough, they played very well against two sides who have just come down from the Premier League.”

Blackwell also suggested striker Chuba Akpom, who scored on his Boro debut against QPR, wouldn’t have started if Ashley Fletcher hadn’t picked up an injury.

“Sam will have to bide his time and I’m sure he’ll force his way into the team,” added Blackwell. “He has to wait like Akpom would have had to wait if there wasn’t an injury to Fletch.

“That’s what we want competition for places, there might not be loads of places but we try to create that competition and that keeps everyone on their edge."

Boro also changed formation when Morsy was introduced against QPR, switching from a back three to what looked like a 4-3-3 system.

“We changed the shape because you have to have a plan A and a plan B,” said Blackwell “If it’s not working you have to make sure you’ve got something to turn to.

“We haven’t got the biggest squad but everyone has adapted well to what we’ve asked them to do.”

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