German test shows what new-look Boro can build on as they prepare for opener

AUF Wiedersehen to the summer – waved off with a victory over German top-flight opponents thanks to a last-gasp Adam Forshaw goal.

Remember the last time he did that in the heart-racing pinball finale against Reading? The Championship being the Championship, the coming season is bound to throw up a few dramatic moments at the death.

And while a win is always gratefully accepted, regardless of the competition or the time of year, Garry Monk will have already learnt a lot about his side in the final friendly of the summer before the Scouse substitute rolled home the late winner.

Boro played some smart stuff in a game that had more tempo than you sometimes expect from a pre-season friendly.

Compare it to the final game of last summer, that bore-draw against Real Sociedad, and it was quite a thriller.

But Monk will be pleased with the reaction of his players following the disappointing display at Rochdale last week.

His selection provided a number of clues as to how Boro will start at Molineux. And the game also provided answers – particularly how the manager will look to make the most of his array of attacking options.

Falling behind after just 60 seconds, Boro suffered a nightmare start against their Bundesliga visitors. But Fletcher and Forshaw combined to ensure they enjoyed the ideal finish – to the game and to the pre-season.

Now it’s guten tag to the Championship once more. Here’s what we learned. THE TWO TRIANGLES THAT WORKED WELL Last season Boro were accused of playing with the handbrake on.

Now you could fill a car with Monk’s striking options.

So with a handful vying for a spot, how does the manager fit them in? More to the point, how does he fit them in and get the best out of them rather than just accommodating players?

That was the big question and the manager had an answer to hand – a tactical switch to a slightly different system that worked well and will surely only get better with practice. Adam Clayton sat deep and swept up behind Marten De Roon and Jonny Howson

There was an energy and a vigour to the front three that fans didn’t see last year. With Britt Assombalonga leading the forward line, Patrick Bamford and Martin Braithwaite both buzzed about in behind, with the latter particularly impressive.

There was an element of Jelle Vossen to Braithwaite’s play: lively and tireless. He performed superbly.

What was so promising about the forward play – which was still the case when changes were made – was the fluid interchanging. And these, remember, are still very early days.

It was a three rather than the isolated one we so often witnessed last season.

That was one triangle; the other was Adam Clayton sitting deep and sweeping up behind Marten de Roon and Jonny Howson in midfield. Clayton made it look so easy.

Where both triangles are concerned, the gaffer has options. On came Adam Forshaw and Grant Leadbitter in the middle; Ashley Fletcher and Rudy Gestede up front.

The full-backs were important to the functionality of the system work as well. With Boro’s forward trio staying narrow, Christie and Friend had the licence and the space to dart forward – and how they obliged.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE What injury? What speculation? Having gone under the knife on Monday and with daily speculation surrounding his future, Ben Gibson could have perhaps been excused for being slightly off colour. Nothing of the sort.

Football has a knack of bringing the best out of the wounded. A bloodied and bandaged Paul Ince for England springs to mind.

Gibson wore a protective mask to shield his