Middlesbrough v West Brom: Baggies revelling in a sense of identity

The 2019/2020 season was always likely to be a tough one for Boro with this the first campaign they have had to operate without the luxury of parachute payments.

But after two years of underwhelming football under Tony Pulis – something Baggies fans will empathise with – they have tried to go in a new direction under Jonathan Woodgate.

The former Leeds defender has looked to make a clean break from the Pulis era and has promised entertaining football at the Riverside.

But changing a club’s philosophy is easier said than done and Boro are struggling to strike a balance. They are yet to click in attack and have also found themselves struggling defensively.

And you’d like to think if Albion’s attacking quartet of Grady Diangana, Matheus Pereira, Matt Phillips and Charlie Austin get anywhere near top form, they will have too much for them.

Slaven Bilic’s side could get joy by targeting centre-back Ryan Shotton, who isn’t blessed with pace.

And while Daniel Ayala is a steady Championship centre-back, he is prone to giving away free-kicks in dangerous areas.

Middlesbrough are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation tomorrow, so the movement of Diangana, Pereira and Phillips will be key if – at times – the hosts end up playing with a back five.

But if Albion can drag the two outside centre-backs into wider areas, that should create plenty of space for Austin in the box.

Defensively, Nathan Ferguson again looks likely to be a key figure for Bilic’s side.

The Baggies came up against a 3-5-2 system when they beat QPR in London last month.

But to cope with the opposition having two up front, Ferguson often drifted inside to effectively give Albion three centre-backs.

That tactic could again be key tomorrow, with Boro likely to start Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher up front.

You’d imagine it will be Kyle Bartley who is asked to deal with the physical threat of Assombalonga, while the pace of Semi Ajayi will be particularly useful keeping Fletcher in check.

Both Albion’s centre-backs have enjoyed impressive starts to the season.

But with Ahmed Hegazi now back in contention, both will be determined to cement their place in the side tomorrow.

Hegazi played 90 minutes for Egypt in their clash with Botswana on Monday. It was the first competitive game for the centre-back since undergoing ankle surgery in the summer.

And you’d expect the 28-year-old will make his Baggies return among the substitutes – with Dara O’Shea likely to be the man who misses out.

Another player Albion have to be wary off tomorrow is midfielder Paddy McNair.

Snapped up for £5million last year, the Northern Irishman works hard, but also moves the ball quickly and reads the game well.

Jake Livermore will have to keep him in check.

Likely line-up:

Subs: Bond, Gibbs, Hegazi, Krovinovic, Edwards, Zohore, Robson-Kanu.

Middlesbrough: (3-5-2): Randolph; Shotton, Ayala, Fry; Howson, Wing, Clayton, McNair, Johnson; Fletcher, Assombalonga.