Middlesbrough v Hull Preview

Aitor Karanka was in no mood to go into details about the mysterious events of last weekend and expressed that he ‘never left’ the club despite reports about his future.

The Middlesbrough manager wasn’t present for his side’s last game which they lost 2-0 away to Charlton last Sunday. It came after many reports had suggested that there had been an argument between Karanka and some of his players, however the Boro boss insisted that he still has ‘an amazing squad’.

Aitor Karanka will be back on the touchline for today's game
(Picture from www.mfc.co.uk)

When asked about the situation in yesterday’s press conference Karanka deflected questions about the incident stating that ‘there hasn’t been a problem and it is better to speak about the future as I don’t think the past is important’.   

Karanka referred to last Sunday’s defeat as evidence that the players are still behind him and that the team perform better when he is on the side-lines.

“When a team is not committed with a manager and the manager is not on the pitch then the players fly on the pitch” said the Spaniard. “The players (against Charlton) did not fly because we are stronger when we are together”.

It therefore remains unclear exactly what the issue was and why the Boro manager wasn’t at the Valley for such an important fixture. However Karanka did reveal that he still has a ‘fantastic’ relationship with Chairman Steve Gibson and that the pair had a 20 minute meeting on Monday to resolve the situation.

The good news for Boro fans is that spirits appear to be high again for tonight’s giant clash at home to promotion rivals Hull. Like Boro Steve Bruce’s side have struggled for form in recent weeks and haven’t won in their last four league games.

Team News

Boro centre half Daniel Ayala remains out with an ankle injury and it is still unclear when he will return to action. It means either Tomas Kalas or 18-year-old Dael Fry will probably start alongside Ben Gibson in defence.

Jack Livermore could return for Hull following a recent knee injury. According to the club’s website midfielder David Meyler has been ruled out through illness while Shaun Maloney and Nick Powell will also miss the game.

The Opposition

Like Boro, Hull’s promotion push has fallen flat in recent weeks after they appeared to be in a strong positon at the turn of the year.

After a decent FA Cup run they were eventually knocked out by Premier League giants Arsenal, who were coincidently Boro’s conquers last year, in a fifth round replay. They have since drawn consecutive home games against MK Dons and Nottingham Forest, both of which finished 1-1 after Hull fell behind.

Steve Bruce’s side haven’t won in their last four league games and top scorer Abel Hernandez, who has 17 goals this campaign, hasn’t found the back of the net for over a month.

The Tigers are just a point behind Boro, having played the same amount of games so tonight’s clash could be pivotal.

One To Watch

Sam Clucas

It is clear that Hull have one of the strongest squads in the division and have a lot of players with Premier League experience, however 25-year-old Sam Clucas, a summer signing from Chesterfield, has been one of Steve Bruce’s biggest assets this campaign.

Hull's Sam Clucas
(Picture from www.yorkshirepost.co.uk)

Clucas has featured in 35 of Hull’s 36 league games this season (only goalkeeper Allan McGregor has played in them all) and has contributed with six goals and seven assists.

As a natural winger Clucas can be a threat going forward but can also track back. Depending on which flank he plays on, he could come up against either George Friend or Emilio Nsue. Both Boro full backs have been great going forward this season, but haven’t been given a serious test defensively when playing at the Riverside.

Last Time Out

Hull 3 Middlesbrough 0

Hull inflicted Boro’s heaviest defeat of the season back in November, as the Tigers reached the Championship summit following a convincing victory at the KC Stadium.

Boro had chances in the first half, the best of which fell to David Nugent, however when Mohamed Diame converted Ahmed Elmohamady’s cross minutes before half time the hosts took control.

Hull doubled their lead when David Meyler's shot deflected in off Sam Clucas with 23 minutes to go. Tom Huddlestone added a third seven minutes from time.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Live)

With Ayala out injured i think this is our strongest side available.

For me the biggest dilemma will be in midfield as Adam Forshaw has performed well in the past few weeks and has given us a more offensive option going forward.

However I would be inclined to leave him out on this occasion, simply because Leadbitter and Clayton have shown earlier in the season what a good and solid pairing they can be in the big games.

If they can make the team difficult to break down again it will allow the likes of Ramirez, Downing and Adomah to express themselves in the attacking third. 

Upfront I think Jordan Rhodes needs game time to get his confidence back while at the back. I would go with Kalas over Fry at centre back, simply because he has a bit more experience in big games and has done well whenever he has played there this season.