The revealing statistics behind Ravel Morrison's Middlesbrough debut at Wigan Athletic

Ravel Morrison made his Middlesbrough debut during Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Wigan.

Using statistics from football database Wyscout, we take a closer look at Morrison’s performance.

Attacking output

Morrison played 71 minutes against the Latics, operating just behind strikers Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher in a 4-3-1-2 formation.

Out of the three, Morrison was the only one who registered a shot (excluding Fletcher’s disallowed goal), as Boro struggled to get their forwards into the game.

Morrison’s only effort at goal failed to hit the target, though, and the playmaker didn’t have a single touch in the opposition’s box.

In a frustrating first half, Boro struggled to move the ball quick enough to breach Wigan’s backline, despite Morrison’s efforts to unpick the Latics.

The 27-year-old was involved in six offensive duels, two of which took place on the edge of Wigan’s box, but was often forced to check back to retain possession.

Passing stats

Despite his frustrations in the final third, Morrison often went looking for the ball and regularly dropped deep to try and receive it.

George Saville was the only Boro midfielder who attempted more passes (69) than Morrison (52) and recorded a higher pass accuracy total.

The latter left the field with a pass accuracy figure of 87 per cent, while Saville finished the match on 91 per cent.

Morrison’s long passes were less successful, though, with just two of six finding a Boro team-mate.

Keen to win the ball back

One noticeable aspect was Morrison’s eagerness to win the ball back.

The playmaker retrieved possession four times in the Wigan half, which was more than Fletcher and Assombalonga combined.

Morrison was also willing to track back, winning five out of his seven defensive duels.

Conclusion

It was clear Morrison was still a little rusty during his first start for over a month.

The Sheffield United loanee does look comfortable on the ball, though, and was involved in some neat passing moves.

Boro will now hope the playmaker can rediscover his sharpness to make more of an impact in the final third.