Here comes the cavalry: Time to freshen up starting XI
CARABAO CLASH WILL SEE WILDER ROTATE – SO WHO WILL BENEFIT?
ASKED how he viewed Wednesday night’s game against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder admitted that while a good chance to get that first win of the season ultimately it’s in the league his side will be judged this season.
While there are many benefits to a cup run, as was encapsulated in the FA Cup successes of last term, right now the Boro squad is short of bodies and has a far more important game with Sheffield United coming up at the weekend.
With that in mind, Barnsley offers a reasonable opportunity to rest certain players or protect them ahead of Sunday’s clash with his former side.
There are players who could benefit from the minutes in the legs as well, though, and with that in mind we take a look at the big prematch considerations for Wilder ahead of Barnsley’s visit to the Riverside on Wednesday evening.
WHICH PLAYERS
When assessing the team to pick on Wednesday evening, there will no doubt be considerations in mind with what first-team players need the minutes. Wilder and the medical team will know exactly what condition the players are in and what their bodies will be best suited to.
Without that information though, it would be safe to assume that, after an impressive summer since joining, Liam Roberts would be a good bet to make his debut in goal. Dael Fry and Paddy McNair could probably both do with the minutes after starting neither of the opening two league games.
Tommy Smith could make his full debut for the club after impressing while on trial and earning a contract while strikers Marcus Forss, Chuba Akpom and Duncan Watmore could all do with minutes in the legs as well.
As a bonus, if a work permit and international clearance can be gained in time, Matthew Hoppe might benefit from some action too, with the club on the verge of completing that transfer.
COULD DO WITH THE MINUTES?
WHICH PLAYERS
DON’T NEED TO BE RISKED?
Again, this will come down to the conditioning and medical assessments the club are able to make in-house.
With an important game on Sunday to come, Wilder has already made clear he will not risk certain players.
Darragh Lenihan will miss
the game through suspension anyway and Smith’s potential inclusion offers the chance to not risk Isaiah Jones but with the squad lacking in depth not playing Ryan Giles leaves Marc Bola - who has started the first two games at centrehalf - as the senior alternative.
In midfield, where Boro have not looked overly convincing yet this season, there are no senior backup options for Wilder to consider. That said, in terms of building momentum and confidence, there is merit in playing the regular trio in the game anyway, to try and get them functioning at the levels they need to be at. Particularly with Jonny Howson at 34 though, you question whether it’s worth the risk.
OFFER ANY
With options limited, the other capability Wilder has is to mix it up with youngsters, much like he did throughout a lot of pre-season. Players like Bryant Bilongo, Hayden Hackney, Joe Gibson, Caolan BoydMunce, Sonny Finch and Cal Kavanagh all impressed in the summer and could do a job.
Left-sided defender Jack Robinson was with the club in Portugal and along with players like Jeremy Sivi and Sam Folarin, has prior first-team experience.
SOME MOMENTUM
Regardless of what team Wilder puts out on Wednesday evening - most likely to be a mix of first-team and fringe or youth - one thing’s for certain, and that’s the Boro boss will expect his side to win.
Barnsley operate in the division below after being relegated last season and, after losing on the opening weekend at Plymouth, picked up their first win of the season over Cheltenham on Saturday.
For Boro, the first win of the new campaign is still to come and as well as this match presenting a good opportunity to change that it offers them a chance to carry positive momentum into the game against the Blades.
Whether a first-teamer, a fringe player or a youngster, the desire to comprehensively beat Barnsley and impress should be clear for all.
COULD THE GAME
YOUNGSTERS OPPORTUNITIES?