Jonathan Woodgate says he knows ‘exactly’ how his Middlesbrough side will tackle Luton’s diamond formation in the Championship opener at Kenilworth Road on tomorrow night.
It will be the former Boro, Leeds, Real Madrid and England defender’s first competitive game as a manager after he was installed as Tony Pulis’ successor at the start of summer.
His side a firm favourites to beat newly-promoted Town, who will also be led out by a first-time manager in Graeme Jones.
Talking about how expects the Hatters to set -up under the former Belgium number two, Woodgate told the Boro website: “Luton will play, they’ll play out from the back, they will play a diamond system, which we know exactly how we are going to play against it, and they will play some good football.
He added: “With Luton coming up last year, Kenilworth Road being jam packed, live on the telly, it’s going to be a really difficult game for us.
“They’re a really good team. They play with a lot of energy, free-flowing. They’ll play football under Graeme Jones. I saw him last year working for West Brom. They’ll definitely play. It’s up to us to try to stop that and counter press that.”
On his first league match as a manager, Woodgate added: “I can’t wait. Everything is planned, the last six weeks we’ve really worked hard.
“I’m going to be the proudest man in Middlesbrough leading the football club out.”
Woodgate is also hopeful of adding at least one new signing to squad ahead of the trip to Kenilworth Road.
He’s already secured the services of Marcus Browne (West Ham), Tomas Mejias (Omonia Nicosia), and Marc Bola (Blackpool) and asked if a fourth new face would arrive before tomorrow night, Woodgate said: “Hopefully, hopefully. There’ll certainly be players in before (deadline day), that’s for sure.”
The Boro boss was far more definitive about his prospects of have striker Britt Assombalonga and keeper Darren Randolph to pick from, despite both being linked with exits.
Woodgate said: “I don’t get involved in that (but) I’m 100 per cent sure, positive Darren Randolph and Britt Assombalonga will be at the football club come Thursday – 100 per cent.
“If we can keep those type of players, the assets that we’ve got; Dael Fry, Lewis Wing, (Marcus) Tavernier, if we can keep these players that will be great for us.”
