The exciting options Neil Warnock has at his disposal ahead of Reading, Bristol City and Cardiff after Patrick Roberts' arrival

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The Boro boss doesn’t have the biggest group to choose from but does have players who are capable of playing in different positions or changing formation.

Patrick Roberts’ arrival on loan from Manchester City will also make it easier for Boro to change their shape and will give Warnock some exciting options in the final third for upcoming games against Reading, Bristol City and Cardiff.

Here are some of the systems they could deploy and how Roberts could fit into the side:

3-5-2

Due to Boro’s natural wing-back options, Warnock has opted to start the season with a back three.

It’s a formation which gives the side more security in defence, especially as Anfernee Dijksteel and Paddy McNair have adapted well to play in the right and left-sided centre-back roles.

The downside of the 3-5-2 formation is that Boro are dependent on their two wing-backs to provide width and contribute in the final third.

Against QPR last month, regular flankers Marvin Johnson and Djed Spence underperformed, hence the reason they were dropped for Boro’s next game against Barnsley.

Marcus Tavernier also struggled in an advanced midfield role, but did look far more comfortable playing as a wing-back a week later.

That central midfield position, operating just behind the strikers, is a role Roberts could take up to give the side more creativity, an element which has been lacking in the opening weeks of the season.

4-3-3

A system which Warnock used last season as Boro avoided relegation from the Championship.

With Roberts in the squad, it will be easier for the Teessiders to operate with widemen, while Tavernier, Akpom, Fletcher and Marcus Browne are also capable of playing on the flanks.

At this stage we are unsure about the extent of Fletcher’s hamstring injury, yet captain Britt Assombalonga would be expected to play in the central striker’s role.

Using the 4-3-3 system would also allow Warnock to shore up his midfield, with Jonny Howson, George Saville, Sam Morsy, McNair and Lewis Wing all fighting for places.

3-4-3

If you cast your mind back to January, when Boro held Tottenham 1-1 in a third-round FA Cup tie, the 3-4-3 set-up looked perfect.

A front three of Roberts, Tavernier and Fletcher allowed Jonathan Woodgate’s side to press high up the pitch, while there was still security at the back.

As previously mentioned, Akpom, Assombalonga and Browne are also options in the final third, while the system can still accommodate wing-backs such as Spence, Johnson, Coulson and Bola.

If Boro do play this formation there’s a chance they could get overrun in midfield, though, while McNair would likely remain at centre-back due to a lack of natural options.

4-4-2

A system we don’t see as much these days, yet Warnock has expressed his desire to play it.

With Akpom, Fletcher and Assombalonga in the squad, it is possible to play with two strikers, while Roberts, Tavernier and Browne can play wide.

The problem appears to be Boro’s lack of centre-backs, especially following Grant Hall’s injury, which could leave them vulnerable at the back.

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