Boro have really got it covered when it comes to title quest
BORO fans will be heartened by a computer prediction which forecasts that Tony Pulis’s men will go on to win the Championship.
Certainly Boro have great credentials to win automatic promotion, even though we are only seven games into the campaign.
Tony Pulis has compiled a solid and organised squad which will pose massive problems for most of their opponents.
The Boro boss has amassed cover in every position, with only the perceived lack of wingers creating any nagging doubts.
Not that doubts remain in the minds of the players. Maybe Boro’s ace card is the mental strength which is oozing from the squad.
One major bonus is the manner in which the players have quickly adapted to a new system, the extra defender having been added in most games.
It’s remarkable that Boro have sold a star defender in Ben Gibson yet arguably look stronger than ever at the back.
In this respect Aden Flint has proved already to be a crucial summer addition.
The tall defender is not just physically powerful when attacking the ball, but he’s a shouter and a pointer on the pitch.
Flint has settled into the line-up as if he has been here for years. His new team-mates, particularly the likes of the rapidly emerging Dael Fry, must be delighted to have him around.
Daniel Ayala has returned as strong as ever, while another positive for Pulis is the fact that he was able to attract Wolves captain Danny Batth to the club on transfer deadline day. Batth is on Teesside on a year-long
loan and is, judging by his com- ments, not here for the ride.
The 27-year-old has a great deal of Championship experience and is certain to put heavy pressure on the back three to try to earn himself a regular place in the team.
Batth does score the odd goal or two, although he is not prolific in the opposition penalty area like Ayala and Flint.
The dynamic duo have both scored goals this season and will surely score more. In fact, Boro’s greatest ongoing threat on the pitch arguably comes from set-pieces.
This is typical Pulis, of course, but the manager has rarely had two players in his charge who can be as effective as Ayala and Flint.
The wing-backs currently remain crucial to Pulis’s system. Neither Ryan Shotton nor George Friend are natural wing-backs but both have approached the task with gusto.
Both have also developed as pretty useful providers of “crosses” from their long throw-ins.
Friend is facing hot competition from loan signing Sam McQueen from Southampton, who is a natural wingback, while Shotton might yet come under pressure from Paddy McNair.
So, can Boro remain effective without wingers? I suggest that they can, certainly if they persist in playing only one orthodox striker.
Naturally Boro have Martin Braithwaite as a No 10. The Dane’s unexpected presence has necessitated another change of system.
Pulis has re-iterated that Braithwaite will stay loyal to the cause despite his failure to get away before the transfer deadline.
With Braithwaite too good to leave out, Boro are now more likely to press through the middle where Jordan Hugill and Britt Assombalonga will contest the role as the battering ram up front.
Overall, just about everything about the squad remains positive, even if Pulis will surely bring in a winger or two in January.
The computer prediction places Leeds United in second place in the final reckoning. This is just as well because Boro made Leeds look ordinary at Elland Road two weeks ago.
So where will Boro’s major promotion threats come from? The computer suggests that West Brom, Brentford, Derby and Swansea will occupy the play-off places and they are among the teams who will test Boro to the hilt.
However, hopefully the computer will prove to be close to the mark.
Certainly this powerful Boro squad have shown they have nothing to fear as long as they maintain high levels of commitment and belief.