Team in focus: Middlesbrough - strengths, weaknesses & prospects

Sky Bet Championship

Middlesbrough 1 Wigan 0
Assombalonga 23

Middlesbrough v Wigan match report

Middlesbrough had the look of a side still managed by Tony Pulis in their first win under Jonathan Woodgate as they ground out a 1-0 Sky Bet Championship success over Wigan at the Riverside Stadium.

The Latics were the better team in the first half, with Jamal Lowe and Nathan Byrne looking lively on the flank, as Boro offered little in attack.

But the hosts broke the deadlock after 23 minutes through a well-timed Britt Assombalonga header after Jonny Howson's superb delivery from the right.

That goal took the sting out of Wigan and Paul Cook's men played one man short for the remaining ten minutes as Kieffer Moore went off injured after all three substitutions had been made.

Middlesbrough's tactics

Woodgate once again opted for a 4-3-3 formation, which became a 4-5-1 system at times in the second period as Middlesbrough tried to conserve their lead.

Midfielder Howson was deployed at right-back with Marc Bola, making his first league start for Boro, on the left and both were encouraged to push forward, which often left space for Wigan to exploit on the flanks.

Despite hosting a team who had failed to score in their last three games, there was an air of caution from Woodgate, who replaced youngsters Bola and Marcus Browne with experienced pair George Saville and Marvin Johnson early in the second half.

Middlesbrough's strengths

Assombalonga converted the winner and was Boro's best player in the final third, burying their best chance of the game and forcing a good stop from David Marshall three minutes later.

He showed signs of good hold-up play, drawing in defenders and creating space for wingers Ashley Fletcher and Browne. Bola was a bright spark on the left as well.

Middlesbrough's weaknesses

The home side enjoyed only a shade more possession at 53 per cent and the midfield trio of Paddy McNair, Adam Clayton and Lewis Wing struggled to keep hold of the ball. They appeared to be lacking a number-ten player who can unlock the door with a defence-splitting pass.

Middlesbrough's goalscorer bets

Howson made a few marauding runs down the right and, given his experience of playing in midfield, he is not averse to striking from distance.

View from Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate

"It's great to get the first win, not for me but for the players and the fans. We kept on believing and okay today wasn't the best spectacle but we created chances and ground a victory out."

Middlesbrough's prospects

The transition from the defensive attitude of a Pulis team to the more progressive football Woodgate wants Boro to play will not happen overnight and they are best avoided in the promotion betting.

But they have a deep squad and make themselves tough to beat and should cement a solid mid-table position. Should the owners keep the faith in Woodgate, next season may be when they begin to push for the playoffs and beyond.

How did Wigan play?

They were excellent in the first 20 minutes but the goal deflated them. Their wide players overlap efficiently and Jamal Lowe is one to keep an eye on.

This was not Wigan at their strongest, with Moore joining a long list of absentees including Joe Garner and Anthony Pilkington, and at full strength they should give the division's bigger clubs a scare.

Egyptian international Sam Morsy was an excellent ball-carrier, while David Fox's deliveries from the left sparked danger. It was his cross which prompted Moore's injury when the striker got in a tangle with Ryan Shotton going for a header.

Middlesbrough v Wigan teams

Middlesbrough 4-3-3: Randolph; Howson, Ayala, Shotton, Bola (Saville 67); McNair, Clayton, Wing; Fletcher (Gestede 90+2), Assombalonga, Browne (Johnson h-t).

Wigan 3-4-2-1: Marshall; Kipre, Dunkley, Fox; Byrne, Evans, Morsy, Robinson (Naismith 67); Massey (Enobakhare 67), Lowe (Jacobs 77); Moore.

Next three Sky Bet Championship fixtures

Middlesbrough: Millwall (h), Bristol City (a), Reading (h).

Wigan: QPR (a), Barnsley (h), Hull City (a).

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