Middlesbrough issued a warning to Oxford United, highlighting their main strength.
Middlesbrough travel to Oxford United this weekend, looking to maintain their pre-international break form and challenge for a place in the Championship’s top six.
On paper, a trip to Oxford sounds like a good way for Boro to unwind following a fortnight off before a hectic Christmas season. However, Boro should not underestimate the United following a promising start to their first season in the English second tier since 1999.
Des Buckingham’s side is 16th in the table, having lost only six of their first 15 games since being promoted from League One via the play-offs last season. Boro’s home form has been especially strong as they prepare to play at the Kassam Stadium for the first time.
U’s writer Liam Rice of the Oxford Mail spoke with Teesside Live about the bright start and what Boro may anticipate. He stated: “Overall, it’s been a promising and pleasant start to the season. United may have caught teams off guard in the first few weeks of the season, as evidenced by wins at home against Norwich, Preston, and Stoke.
“Home form has been vital, with only one defeat at the Kassam Stadium, including memorable draws against Burnley and West Brom. If there is a drawback, it is the away record. The United have yet to win an away game since their return to the second tier, but they can count themselves unlucky in a handful of those games.
“What those matches accomplish, however, is illustrate the stark contrast between life in League One and the Championship. In League One, United was not penalized as often as they have been this season, and in the Championship, one mistake or loss in concentration can be expensive.
On playing style, Liam added, “That’s the key question for Des Buckingham and his coaching staff. In the early months of the season, the U’s used a 4-3-3 formation with one holding midfielder and two attacking midfielders, which was the same formation that earned them promoted.
“However, injuries kept piling up, so Buckingham switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation for the two games leading up to the international break.” It worked well in a 1-0 home win against Hull, and United fought hard at Watford with the setup. The U’s had possibly their greatest away performance of the season, but Vakoun Bayo scored the game’s only goal.”
Boro will enter the game full of confidence following back-to-back victories before the international break. They also scored seven goals in their last two road games. They’ll be trying to continue their good scoring form at Oxford, but they’ll have to beat an in-form goalkeeper.
“Jamie Cumming has been superb in goal for United, and seems to be making at least one good, if not excellent, save each game,” Liam replied when asked who their key players were. “Elliott Moore and Ciaron Brown provide great defense in front of Cumming.
“Going forward, Tyler Goodrham is a joy to watch when he plays to his full potential. He is only 21 years old, but he has a low centre of gravity and can play creatively from out wide or midfield. Dane Scarlett is proving to be a legitimate goal threat up front, with the Tottenham loanee scoring three goals in his past six matches for the United. He also scored a fantastic diving header for the England Under-21s this week.”
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