Strikes me that the new-look Boro front line must gel quickly
GARRY MONK’S massive £40m summer outlay faces the acid test in the Championship opener at Wolves on Saturday.
There’s a pressing need for promotion favourites Boro to hit the ground running.
It means that Monk must ensure that the new boys bed in quickly and help create a fresh team togetherness.
Monk has made six major signings during the summer in a spending frenzy which dwarves the transfer market potential of most of their Championship rivals.
Certainly there are some impressive names among the new boys, especially the likes of attacking duo Britt Assombalonga and Martin Braithwaite.
Monk has correctly identified Boro’s weakest area and done something positive about it.
Boro were relegated last season primarily as a result of their lack of firepower. The manager has instigated a complete revamp of the squad’s attacking options.
There’s every reason to believe that record signing Assombalonga will fit the bill on Teesside. He’s proven himself a dynamic finisher at both Peterborough and Forest.
In fact, his Championship experience could prove to be a crucial factor in Boro’s promotion push. Provided he gets the service which he needs, then he should bag plenty of goals.
Danish forward Braithwaite will be expected to create some of Assombalonga’s goals, while at the same time weighing in with a few of his own.
Braithwaite is likely to operate in a central attacking role behind Assombalonga, although he is also comfortable operating in a wider role. In the past two seasons Braithwaite has reached double figures with Toulouse. A similar haul for Boro would be most welcome.
Monk is expected to plump for attack-minded players on the flanks, rather than orthodox wide midfield men.
In this respect it will be interesting to see whether Ashley Fletcher opens the campaign in the starting line-up.
The former Manchester United trainee, at the age of 21, appears to be a hot prospect but has does not have a great deal of first-team experience under his belt.
He did not enjoy much pitch-time at West Ham but spent half a season with Barnsley last year and scored nine goals in 27 appearances, which is pretty good for a player receiving his first taste of competitive football.
There’s no doubt that Fletcher will be given his opportunities with Boro but it’s more likely than not that he will be introduced gradually. Fletcher’s arrival is a bonus for the squad because he can operate as a lone striker, slot in behind the front man, or play on the flanks.
Monk’s decision to completely overhaul his attack raises question marks over the prospects of Patrick Bamford and Rudy Gestede, although both can point to the fact that they have scored plenty of goals previously at this level.
Bamford in particular could get opportunities as one of the wide attacking players.
What Monk has created is valuable competition for places up front, which is something sadly lacking last season.
The manager has also filled another pressing vacancy by bringing in workhorse Jonny Howson as an attacking midfielder.
The former Leeds and Norwich man likes to get forward and support attacks, not to mention weighing in with a few goals himself. It’s something which has been missing from the squad in recent years.
Monk’s two other major signings are right-back Cyrus Christie and goalkeeper Darren Randolph. Both should fit comfortably into the side.
Christie is said to be a strong defender and, at the age of 24, he could establish himself in the rightback role at the Boro for years to come.
Randolph was snapped up quickly by Monk when West Ham took Joe Hart on loan. He is likely to be regarded initially as the No.1 keeper, though Dimi Konstantopoulos may have other ideas.
The emerging Connor Ripley, who potentially would not even have been the club’s No.2 keeper following Randolph’s arrival, may be leaving the club after turning down the offer of a contract extension.
While all the signings look good ones, Monk has effectively replaced more than half the original side in one fell swoop. It can take time for players to gel into a new team.
Braithwaite, for example, might need 10 games to find his feet in English football.
But you wouldn’t expect the likes of Assombalonga, Howson and Christie to have any problems coping from the start.
Boro could have been handed a better opener than away at Wolves. But it’s one of many hurdles the team must overcome this season. Several crucial questions will have been answered by Saturday evening.
Many other Championship sides have improved their squads this summer, but arguably none have done as well as Boro.
It’s up to Monk’s new-look Boro to deal with the huge expectations on Teesside and make a flying start.