The changes Neil Warnock may have to make due to Middlesbrough's lack of signings ahead of Watford and Bournemouth openers

The Teessiders made a winning start to pre-season by beating Plymouth Argyle 1-0 on Tuesday, yet some players had to play the full 90 minutes due to the shortage of numbers.

Warnock is hopeful the club can make more signings before the start of their 2020/21 season, which will start with a Carabao Cup tie against Shrewsbury, yet the reality is Boro will go into the season on the back foot.

Thankfully the transfer window will stay open for domestic deals until October 16, meaning there is still time to strengthen for a relentless Championship campaign.

It’s far from ideal that Boro could still be looking to fill vacant positions after their first match – yet Warnock will have to work with what he’s got.

Despite Boro’s lack of options, the side which played at Plymouth is still capable at Championship level, even if some temporary alterations are needed.

McNair needed at the back

For starters, the Teessiders look desperately short at centre-back following the departures of George Friend, Ryan Shotton, Daniel Ayala and Harold Moukoudi.

New signing Grant Hall looks like a shrewd signing, yet the 28-year-old and Dael Fry are Boro’s only centre-backs with significant Championship experience.

That may mean Paddy McNair has to deputise in defence, as he did at times last season.

The Northern Ireland international can help drive the team forward in his natural midfield role but also has the attributes to play at the back.

McNair is effective in the air and comfortable on the ball so does provide an extra option at centre-half.

Tricky to play with wing-backs

Warnock has said he would prefer to play a 4-3-3 system, yet some of Boro’s best performances last season came when they operated with wing-backs.

Djed Spence, Hayden Coulson and Marvin Johnson all looked suited to the aforementioned role, yet Boro’s shortage of central defenders may force them to play with a back four.

Last season Jonathan Woodgate used Jonny Howson as a right-sided centre-back, a position he adapted to well, yet the 32-year-old has been a linchpin in midfield for Warnock.

The Boro boss is willing to change his system, as he did for the wins at Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday last term, yet Boro’s thin squad will cause restrictions.

Different roles for forwards

Boro’s striker duo Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher have often spoke about their friendship off the pitch.

We’ve also seen flashes of them linking up well on the field, like when they combined emphatically in July’s win at Millwall.

Yet playing them together hasn’t always worked, as shown by Boro’s lack of goals last season.

It should be said that Assombalonga missed a couple of months with an ankle injury which broke up the partnership, yet if Boro play with a back four it may be difficult to play with two central strikers.

That would probably see either Fletcher or Assombalonga move into a slightly wider role – as they have done in the past.