This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
QPR have a good chance to get back to winning ways when Middlesbrough visit on Saturday, and the best way to ensure a result is for Mark Warburton to target two weak points of the Boro team.
Jonathan Woodgate’s team have struggled to get going so far and currently sit in the relegation zone as a result, with just 12 points from 15 games, and the performances of Jonny Howson and Britt Assombalonga have been a key factor in that.
The pair have been important to Boro’s success in the past – the latter scoring 14 goals as they narrowly missed out on the play-offs last year, with Howson also achieving a WhoScored rating of 6.8.
This time around, Assomabolnga has only tallied four league goals, and that should fill Warburton with confidence that his side will be able to record their first clean sheet of the season.
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Jonny Howson
Traditionally a central midfielder, the 31-year-old has struggled out on the right flank this season and has been featuring as a wing-back recently, and therefore Eberechi Eze could have a lot of joy in coming up against him, along with Nahki Wells.
The R’s youngster made nine successful dribbles against Leeds, and has been in great form in 2019/20 with six goals and four assists, so he should have a lot of joy against a player as weak defensively as Howson, who has averaged only 1.5 tackles in the league.
Howson has a pass accuracy of 76% too, which shows that he could be exploited when on the ball if put under pressure. Ryan Manning could be key to that, and the more good work he does going forward, the better chance QPR have of making the most of Howson’s weakness.
The left-back’s 2.2 key passes suggest he will be a threat, so Warburton should look to overload the left-wing and make life difficult for the former Norwich man.
Britt Assombalonga
Despite being out of form, the DR Congo international remains Boro’s key attacking outlet and he is still the club’s top scorer.
As a result, Warbuton must instruct his defenders and midfielders to keep a close watch on him, and deploying Dominic Ball could be the most effective way to do that, as he has averaged two tackles per league game.
Should they keep the striker quiet, they will restrict openings for the visitors and that will be crucial to their chances of winning.
If they can keep the ball in their typical fashion – averaging 54% possession – they should frustrate the opposition, and with a bit more discipline in defence they may be able to obtain that elusive first clean sheet.
