Middlesbrough got themselves demoted to the relegation zone due to their self-inflicted demons. But they did not waste much time and have appointed Garry Monk as the manager and have given him the authority to carry out his duties at the helm of the Riverside Stadium to cultivate a promotion spot for them in the upcoming campaign in the English second division.
Here are three elements on which the 38-year-old manager would have to particularly work for aiding their cause.
Solve Their Attacking Woes
Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough were subjected to immense criticism owing to their blunt attitude up front. Boro’s apparent lack of ability to find the back of the net on the regular basis was one of the reasons why they fell into the jaws of relegation. Scoring merely 27 goals in a campaign of 38 games was never going to help them in getting to the safe zone.
They played in a very orthodox and conservative manner with very little intent in the final third and pressure kept rising as the goals dried up. One dimensional setup with overemphasis being laid to catering to the defensive aspects frustrated the fans and didn’t earn the sort of rewards they would have cherished.
They would need a quality centre-forward to bang goals left, right and centre to mount a serious challenge for a promotion spot next term and Monk would need to cultivate a bit of brutally ruthless attitude in the team.
Elevate Confidence
Having plied their trade against the elite clubs of the country and to have succumbed eventually must have taken the toll on the morale of the Smoggies. Confidence is a huge intangible factor and the former Leeds United and Swansea City manager would have to erect a positive attitude in his ranks and follow the example of Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle United.
The Geordies, despite dropping to the Championship, churned out an immediate return back to the English top flight with their grit, tenacity and knack to prove their credentials and managed to successfully do it. Monk took his former employers very near to the play-off spots and would personally look forward to enable Middlesbrough in crossing the line next season.
Strengthen The Strong Point
Defence was their strongest suit last campaign and it goes without saying that Monk shouldn’t attempt to tinker much with the same.
Keeping the basics intact, the element of continuation of cohesiveness and camaraderie at the backline would hold paramount importance and according to Radio Yorkshire stating that the manager is already looking forward to bring a proven Championship defender in the shape of Kyle Bartley is exactly the move that could make them a resilient side.
