Pulis is playing numbers game

BACK FOUR, or back three? That is the burning Boro question.

Manager Tony Pulis has alternated to various effect with both systems so far.

Now Pulis may be tempted to stick with a flat back four after witnessing both systems in action in one game at Preston last week.

The wing-back line-up has proved fruitful on occasions earlier in the season. But it did not work at all well at Deepdale.

When Pulis reverted to a more familiar back four in the second half, Boro were able to take a much bigger foothold in the game.

There has always been the over-riding problem that Pulis does not have any orthodox wing-backs, certainly since loanee Sam McQueen suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury and returned to Southampton.

Ryan Shotton and George Friend have carried out the major wing-back duties and both have done OK particularly Shotton. But Shotton’s recent spell on the sidelines through injury has led to quite a bit of chopping and changing at the back.

Dael Fry was handed the right-back duties ahead of new boy Paddy McNair and the 21-year-old has produced some impressive displays there.

Certainly Fry is at that stage of his career where he needs to be playing if he is to continue to progress at the same rate.

So it’s great that a role has been found for him.

Ironically, Boro looked best with three defenders when Fry was playing in the middle of the three.

However, the indications are that Pulis will prefer to utilise just two centre-backs in general.

Naturally, it means competition for defensive places will be hotter than ever if Boro are fielding a flat back four.

At the start of this season nobody would have suspected that Daniel Ayala might be one of the players struggling to hold down a regular place in the team.

The Spaniard drew huge praise from Pulis last season for his committed and inspirational performances.

Ayala did lose a little bit of gloss this season in the way in which he was seen grabbing opposition strikers in tight situations, which was highlighted on a few occasions by TV camer

as. Dael Fry of Middlesbrough jas produced some fine displays in the right-back role for Boro

However it was still a surprise when Ayala lost out to Wolves loanee Danny Batth, who had not previously had a sniff of a Boro first-team place in the Championship.

Since then Batth has not only come in and done exceptionally well but he has indicated that he is capable of forging a long run in the side.

Boro’s other centre-back, Aden Flint, has done well without being spectacular, although Boro cannot complain about the impact of the Batth-Flint partnership.

If there’s an overall bonus, it’s that Pulis knows that he has four centre-backs of a decent quality who will ensure that the team remains strong at the back.

That’s in addition to the fact that Shotton is originally a centre-back who can also comfortably slot into the middle.

Batth and Fry are the two stand-out defenders so far. It will be interesting to see if Pulis tries to make Batth’s move to Teesside a permanent one in January.