Five Things We Learnt From Preston v Boro

Preston    0        Middlesbrough    0    

So it wasn’t the game that we waited two and half months for, neither was it the result to justify the label of Championship promotion favourites, but at least the football season is back and there are still 45 games to get the pulses flowing again.

Boro’s goalless draw away at Preston was nothing more than a game to get new campaign under way and in the end a point a piece wasn’t a bad way to start. The hosts, who gained promotion from League 1 last season, were a solid outfit and deployed compact 3-5-2 formation which proved tricky for Aitor Karanka’s side to break down. Of the few goal-scoring opportunities the best fell Preston’s way before half time; however it will be remembered as a match where the defences dominated and a draw was probably a fair result.  

1. Dael Fry Can Step Up

Dael Fry jumps with Joe Garner

Following Ben Gibson’s hamstring injury at Barnsley during pre-season, Boro were left with a hole to fill in the heart of defence. They acted quickly by signing 21 year old defender Jack Stephens on a season-loan from Southampton and it looked like he might get the nod alongside Daniel Ayala, however it was 17 year old Dael Fry who received his debut. The young centre back built on his impressive pre-season form and barely put a foot wrong against Preston’s lively forward Joe Garner. It was evidence that Fry can provide sufficient cover at the back and has a promising future ahead of him.  

2. Tabs Kept On Downing

The signing of Stewart Downing in pre-season prompted a lot of people to sit up and take note of Boro; it was also a contributing factor why many bookmakers made them the early promotion favourites. It was therefore no surprise that Preston, in particular holding midfielder John Welsh, kept a close eye on him. Downing was deployed in the number 10 position behind the striker but was had to drop very deep to receive the ball due to Preston’s compact shape.

3. Chance But No Chance For Kike

Aitor Karanka stuck to his tried and trusted 4-2-3-1 formation from last season with Kike starting as the solo centre forward. However the Spanish striker spent the majority of the match on the periphery as he was isolated upfront. Preston cut the supply from Boro’s midfield making the visitor’s passing appear slow and pedestrian, as a consequence Kike was forced to feed off scrapes as Boro failed to register a single shot on target.

4. Fans as Good As Ever

Last season Boro’s away following was phenomenal, they packed the away end on numerous and yesterday was no different. 3,680 away fans made the trip to Deepdale and could be heard loud and clear throughout the game in front of the Sky Sports cameras. Defeat in the play-off final has only helped whet the appetite amongst the supporters, so expect plenty more big follows from Boro fans this campaign.

5.  Preston Will Be No Slouch

Many Boro fans expected this to be a tough opening fixture against a side that were still buoyant from their promotion to the Championship. Preston showed they still had the characteristics of a Championship club and will prove a match for any team, especially at Deepdale where they lost just one league game last season.  

Thorn In The Side (MOTM)

Preston's John Welsh and Boro's Stewart Downing

John Welsh- Preston’s holding midfielder did a job in front of their three man defence. It may not have been pretty but it was certainly effective as he helped keep Boro at arm’s length and left the visitors out of ideas.

Boro’s Best

George Friend- Once again Boro’s defence provided a stern backbone, as they kept their first clean sheet of the season. Daniel Ayala and Dael Fry were strong and dominant in the middle, as was right back Tomas Kalas, but George Friend has become crucial member in this Boro side and he looked as eager as anyone to push his side forward.