Rob Edwards continues to insist that his wing-back system might yet change, but it’s looking increasingly likely we will see Middlesbrough set up with a three-man defence more often than not.

Edwards insists that he believes it best suits the players he has at his disposal right now – and there have been many positives when watching his Boro side so far this summer, as they get to grips with a new style of play.

Though the Boro head coach has hinted he could change it if new signings are made, targets appear to fit into a wing-back system, while even a team largely made up of under-21 players at Hartlepool on Wednesday used the 3-4-2-1 formation, suggesting it’s most definitely his plan.

This week our fan panel, which consists of Youtube analyst Phil Spencer, Boro Breakdown co-host Dana Malt, Boropolis co-founder Chris Cassidy and Twe12th Man member John Donovan, gave their thoughts on Edwards’ set up at Boro so far, and their thoughts on how it’s looked.

Chris Cassidy

Apart from the Bradford game, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with Middlesbrough’s style in pre-season. Rob Edwards said on his first day in the job he wanted his team to play with ‘fight’ and ‘intensity,’ and I think in patches his new Boro side has shown exactly that.

It’s already very apparent that Edwards wants his team to be more aggressive, particularly in the press, which has been exciting to see. It’s personal preference, of course, but I like the idea of the Boro team being on the front foot and in the opposition’s faces.

Despite most of our goals coming from set pieces so far, which isn’t a bad thing, there’ve been quite a few times where we’ve won the ball high up the pitch and had good chances as a result of it.

In terms of the shape, Boro’s new head coach has reiterated that formations are interchangeable, but to the eye it’s been mostly a back three with wingbacks. However, I do feel Edwards will be more pragmatic as the season progresses and he has more options at his disposal.

I’m very confident the addition of Callum Brittain, who’s comfortable in a four or five, and some width on the left, will be transformative to the version of Boro we’ve seen in pre-season.

Dana Malt

It’s very much welcomed by me. He wants to play in a way that would offer an antidote to the rather passive out-of-possession style we saw under Michael Carrick, that became increasingly targeted by teams in the Championship.

I’m not surprised by his usage of wing-backs either. At both Forest Green Rovers and Luton, his team placed great importance on wide play. At Boro though, I feel sorry for him. He just doesn’t have the greatest of options there – they are mostly square pegs in round holes.

He needs effective additions in the transfer window, and adjustments from players already at the club, otherwise his ideal way of playing may not work. That is my big concern, and in all honesty, it wouldn’t surprise me if he has to change tact to compromise.

John Donovan

We have seen in the past how three at the back with two wing backs can be an effective, exciting and creative system for teams to use. On the other hand we have seen how open and vulnerable it looks when teams target getting behind the wing backs. That suggests that games won’t be dull.

But I would settle for, in some games at least, a more solid traditional back four. I hope we can be adaptable and make in game changes to work in our favour.

It’s cleat that wing backs are favoured by Rob Edwards, but it is a specialist role that a lot of full backs can’t adapt to. If we are to use that system then we need the right players, and not just try to shoehorn a full back into a wing back role.

I’m enjoying how, as a team, we are pressing more, and showing more energy and tenacity. Last season we saw Tommy Conway closing down on his own and that was fruitless and energy sapping for him.

Pressing the opposition is high intensity and can also lead to fatigue and injuries. We need a bigger squad to mix up things, and to give players the rest and recuperation that an intense style of play requires. I’m hoping we are targeting players with this skill set.

Phil Spencer

I like it. I think that fans have been crying out for Middlesbrough to use a back three and wing-backs for a couple of years now and it’s great to see it being introduced. We were far too open to play against at times last season and I think that playing three CBs will solidify us and mean we see the best from players like Dael Fry, Darragh Lenihan and Neto Borges.

I think that we need to sign a wing-back for both the left and right flank, so once that’s done I believe that our shape will be much stronger and we’ll be equipped to control games more often.

Of course it’s early days in pre-season and results have been mixed, but I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen from Rob Edwards so far, I think the onus is now on the recruitment team to give him the players that he needs to succeed.

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