The benefit of this tactical fluidity is that it allows them to easily play through big gaps if the opponent tries to spread wide to match their block. Their most-effective actions come from quick counter-attacks or punishing opposition mistakes thanks to their confidence on the ball and ability to be clinical in front of goal. Steffen’s distribution can trigger quick attacks as well, such as the pass (shown below) to McGree - who played in all four of Australia’s matches at the World Cup - in the 2-0 win over Watford in January.Ĭarrick’s side are not one-dimensional in relying on using width and playing out from the back to create chances. Boro will often bounce possession back to him to restart an attack when the midfield gets crowded. It helps the system that goalkeeper Zack Steffen is comfortable with the ball at his feet, as you would expect from a Manchester City loanee who has played under Pep Guardiola. This movement of full-backs to create an asymmetrical back three happens time and again in Boro’s matches, and is seen below in February’s 3-0 win over Blackpool. In this case, the distance between Millwall’s defenders makes it easy for Akpom to drop the ball off to right-back Smith, who has pushed forward to support, who then slides a pass through to Forss in the box, taking out five defenders in the process. They are left with two options: match Boro’s width (as Millwall have done below), which leaves big spaces between defenders, or track across as a unit which creates its own problems. Forss scored the winner from this position because creating so much width is hard for the opposition to defend. In the same move in the still below, Giles and right-sided forward Marcus Forss are highlighted. With Giles pushed high and wide, Boro are able to occupy huge width. When they do this, it shifts their formation to effectively become a 3-2-5 and is similar to the movement of defenders Arsenal have used to good effect under Mikel Arteta this season. The image below, from January’s 1-0 win over Millwall, illustrates that formation perfectly as left-back Ryan Giles has pushed high (at the top of the graphic), creating a back three of central defenders Paddy McNair and Dael Fry and right-back Tommy Smith. Carrick has overseen a dramatic upturn in results at Boro since his appointment in October (Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
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