New Stoke City boss’s promise on style of play can be good news for Middlesbrough
Narcis Pelach is trying to establish his own style at Stoke City and it can be good news for struggling Boro
Narcis Pelach says he wants his Stoke City side to be aggressive and brave as he tries to establish his way on his new players – and that can be good news for Middlesbrough this weekend.
Stoke visit the Riverside in what is Pelach’s second game in charge of the Potters. He lost his first game 3-1 to Hull City but has since had a free week in which to work with his players in training and try to impress his new ideas.
Boro, meanwhile, could really do with a victory after picking up just one point in their last two games. Of particular concern for Boro is their inability to break down compact defences that offer them little space to operate in. Michael Carrick feels teams retreating against them is a natural consequence of Boro’s quality and desire to control games with possession, but the trouble with that is they then struggle to unlock the door.
But with Pelach asked about his desired style of play, his responses can be good news for Boro. While acknowledging his side might have to deal with being without the ball for larger periods in the game, and will therefore have to try and be compact defensively, he is also keen that his players show perhaps more attacking endeavour than most of Boro’s opponents this season.
