Chris Davies reckons the turmoil into which Middlesbrough have been plunged won’t necessarily be a factor during Saturday’s match.
Blues go to a Boro reeling from the determination of Wolves to take head coach Rob Edwards from them.
They rejected a formal approach from Wolves to speak to ex-player and coach Edwards, who did not take training on Friday. And Edwards’ regular pre-match press conference was cancelled as he met with club hierarchy, which only added to the mess and air of uncertainty hanging over Teesside.
Middlesbrough sit third in the Championship and are unbeaten at home. But this sudden scenario, and a thumping defeat by Watford a week ago followed by a narrow escape at Leicester City in midweek – an equaliser in the fifth minute of added-time rescued a point – could make then vulnerable.
“Not necessarily,” says Davies, speaking on Friday. “At the minute we have got to assume it is business as usual until we hear otherwise.
“At the moment it’s too quick a turnaround for anything to really change. They’ve probably got their team and game plan already in place so I don’t think that’s going to change overnight.
“Regardless of what kind of happens with that situation, it won’t change the kind of challenge that we face.”
Davies is respectful of Middlesbrough’s ability to dictate matches.
“I have seen a lot of them now. Very good footballing team. They get on the ball, they try to play. There’s a patience there.
“Some teams at this level are focused on lots of long balls and set-pieces. Others are more counter attacking. With them I have seen a variety of threats but particularly their ability to dictate a game with the ball in midfield. They get on it and try to pass and control games.
“So interesting challenge for us in that sense. We definitely have confidence that we have got threats of our own. But they’re having a strong season, they had a strong season last season and have been strong for a few years. We know that – but we are excited for the match.”
Blues have no fresh injury concerns and Davies could well stick with an unchanged starting XI for a third match in a row.
His team have their tails up and are confident, following back-to-back 4-0 wins at St. Andrew’s.
One of the star performers has been Patrick Roberts who, like others, has benefitted from absorption into the side and his teammates’ capabilities.
“I think you also have to mention the role of Tomoki Iwata, excellent in creating space for him, whether that’s with his movement behind the ball or the runs he makes past him that takes defenders away and opens up the space for Patrick to dribble into.
“I think they’ve linked up really well on that right-hand side.
“Patrick I have known for a long time and when you get him the ball to feet and when he gets moving with the ball, he’s really difficult to stop. He’s really well balanced. He’s got great feet, very, very elusive.
“We’ve got a good outlet in Patrick and, again, I think a lot of these (new) players are getting up to speed physically, mentally, how we play, what I want, how we have been working for the last 17 months or whatever it has been.
“And it takes a bit of time to come together. But hopefully we can see that progress being made now.”
