What should the starting XI be on Sunday?
We look ahead to Sunday’s game against Middlesbrough and I give my opinion on how the team should look.
The Middlesbrough game is a game of vast importance for numerous reasons, and the starting 11 choices (and a possible change in formation) will likely decide the day.
With so much riding on Sunday's result, I’m giving my opinion on the starting 11 and formation beforehand in hopes that we put our best foot forward.
Felix Wiedwald
The conversation about the number 1 spot will rumble on, but in my opinion, Christiansen should put Wiedwald back in goal against Boro.
People may wonder why I would say such a ridiculous comment. Well, let me explain the fundamentals of the tactical approach we see under Christiansen. He relies on patience and sustained possession of the ball, beginning at the goal keeper and moving forward from there.
Andy Lonergan is a better shot-stopping keeper, but his more direct approach in the distribution aspect of his game has hindered our threat. I think the way the goalkeeper role is evolving means we should have Wiedwald in goal, based on his ability to implement the system, and rely on his potential to improve.
Luke Ayling
A few performances aside, Luke Ayling has been the most consistent player we have had at the club for numerous years. He is a player who can make the difference in games, and his passion to succeed ensures his inclusion for the foreseeable future.
Pontus Jansson
A major dilemma for Thomas Christiansen is the centre back partnership he decides to go with on Sunday. Form is an important factor in the selection process, but in the high-pressured important games, you need your best players to play. Jansson is, in my opinion, the best player in the squad and a game with the pressure of Sunday will suit him down the ground. We need his personality and talent if we are to get back on track.
Liam Cooper
I thought long and hard about who should partner Jansson, and I decided on Cooper for a couple of reasons. The game on Saturday has various layers to it: We need to win the game, but we also gain some vindication for how Garry Monk decided to leave the club. Liam Cooper was heavily restricted under Garry Monk, and I think he understands the importance of the result over someone like Pennington who was not affected by the Boro head coach’s departure.
The other reason is that we need a defender who is confident defending when he is facing his own goal. The creative presence in Middlesbrough’s attacking midfield will see balls played in behind the defenders, and I don’t think anyone is better in the defensive area at dealing with the balls whilst on the turn.
Vernon Anita
The left back position has become our achilles heel in recent months, and it is difficult to decide who is the best option. I have gone with Anita based on the counter-attacking style that we play. Anita is a more attack-minded left defender than Berardi and I believe, for us to be successful under Christiansen, we need to be playing the players who suit his system.
Ronaldo Vieira
I always bang on about the importance of winning the midfield battle.
Monk sets his team up in the same 4–2–3–1 formation we saw so much of last season. I think the way to stifle Boro’s creativity in the middle of the park is to suffocate the opposition in the midfield. I think having a player with the physicality of Vieira in the side will do that.
Eunan O’Kane
O’Kane adds an educated and experienced presence in the middle. He also adds further balance in the centre of the park and his skills on the ball should blend well with the more physical Vieira and Phillips.
Kalvin Phillips
Phillips has adapted his game and has become more of an all-around midfielder. His scoring record has improved tenfold this season, and in a tight game, his ability in both an attacking and defensive sense could make all the difference in what I expect to be a tight affair.
Stuart Dallas
The performance of Dallas during the international break is a testament to the need for him to be involved. He is our best technical left-sided midfielder and adds the natural width we will need to stretch the game when on the counter attack. If he is fit, he should get the start. If not, Pablo Hernandez is my choice here.
Samuel Sáiz
Saiz is clearly more effective in a central role, but I think him interchanging and starting on the right and coming inside will cause the Middlesbrough players problems. The three in midfield will cover the space left on the right when he comes inside.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga
I find some fan opinions interesting on the lack of Lasogga’s contribution thus far. If we had won even half of the results, we would be praising his contribution. He is the best out-and-out striker we have and should start on Sunday.
A New Formation, the 4–1–4–1
This formation may look a little negative, but I think it works well against the 4–2–3–1 Monk will most likely use on Sunday. Vieira sitting in between the midfield and defence will stop the central attacking midfielder dictating the play in-front of our box, and the numbers in midfield will give us bodies going forward on the counter attack — which is how I feel we will win the game.
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