How we think Michael Carrick will set his Middlesbrough team out against Coventry City

Michael Carrick has to find a way to get his unconvincing Middlesbrough side to fire at Coventry City.

It all rests on the final game of the season at Coventry, with Boro needing to win to have any chance of making the play-offs. But having missed two really good opportunities against Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City in recent games, it’s understandable that there is little optimism.

Having said that, Boro do welcome back Rav van den Berg, Neto Borges and Riley McGree for the game, to boost their options. So what kind of team will Carrick put out? The Boro head coach hinted at no tactical surprise when he noted his side would ‘do what they’re good at’ at Coventry. With that in mind, here’s our predicted Boro team for the must-win game.

GK – Mark Travers – Regardless of what happens on Saturday, Boro will be hoping this isn’t Travers’ final game for the club. He’s been superb since joining on loan from Bournemouth and good for at least a few points that leaves Boro still in the race on the final day.

DR – Anfernee Dijksteel – Dijksteel is looking increasingly likely to leave the club this summer. But he’d love to go out on a high, and that could mean helping the club reach the play-offs this season. After an excellent campaign that has tailed off somewhat for him personally in recent weeks, it would be a nice moment for him.

DC – Dael Fry – Returning to the side after injury, Fry was superb again last weekend against Norwich. Carrick’s decision with regard to centre-back isn’t an easy one, but Fry is surely a must-start for this one, with Boro likely to need his physicality to battle with Ellis Simms.

You May Like

Crossout 2.0: SuperchargedCheck out the new Crossout 2.0 for free. Discover PvP and PvE in our upgraded Action MMO. Countless unique Vehicles, PvE and PvP, Trading. Are you ready? Destroy vehicles your opponent took hours to craft and enjoy. Join now for Free

DC – Rav van den Berg – The surprise in the side will come with not having Jonny Howson at centre-back for the first time since the veteran midfielder was forced to deputise there in Boro’s injury crisis. Doing so well, he’s stayed there ever since. Van den berg is back for this one but hasn’t been in great form. Nevertheless, he’s undoubtedly a quality player who Carrick likes a lot.

DL – Samuel Iling-Junior – Another who hasn’t quite been able to reach his best in recent games, though in his defence, he needs Boro to function better as a team to be able to get into the right areas too. He can carry a threat if it goes well on the day, but he’ll have to be alert defensively too. Neto Borges has been back in training but it feels unlikely he’s fit and sharp enough to start.

CM – Aidan Morris – Despite his relative years, Morris has shown a great level of maturity in recent weeks, even if some around him have struggled. He looks like he’s embracing the challenge and his tenacity in midfield could be vital in this one.

CM – Jonny Howson – Now we come to the surprise of the predicted team selection. With Hayden Hackney moving further forward which we’ll explain below, we’re therefore moving Howson into the midfield. As well as providing a bit more of a defensive-minded approach to the midfield away from home, it ensures that Boro don’t lose Howson’s experience and composure for such a key game.

RW – Marcus Forss – Morgan Whittaker got the nod last time out and while he’s the type of player who could produce a moment of magic, the reality is that, right now, it’s not really happening for him in a Boro shirt. Forss is a man who loves a big goal in a big moment and will always give you 100% in and out of possession.