MIDDLESBROUGH: What has Tony Pulis done to propel Boro back into the play-off positions?

DEVELOPED A CLEAR TACTICAL APPROACH

One of the main criticisms of Tony Pulis’ predecessor, Garry Monk, was that Middlesbrough’s players did not really know what he wanted them to do. There are no such grey areas when it comes to Pulis’ approach.

The Boro boss is adamant he wants his teams to have a clearly-defined identity, and Boro’s tactics in the last few games have been straight from the Pulis blueprint.

There has been a clear desire to move the ball from front to back at pace, as well as a strict work ethic that sees Boro’s players closing down their opponents at every opportunity. The hard work starts with the attackers, and filters back to the defence.

Pulis’ philosophy has often been derided as ‘long ball’, but Boro aren’t simply firing 50-yard passes towards Patrick Bamford. True, it is no longer a case of possession for possession’s sake. But with the likes of Adama Traore and Stewart Downing in the team, Pulis is happy to see his players keeping the ball on the floor provided they are passing with a purpose.

TIGHTENED UP THE BACK FOUR

The 3-3 draw at Sunderland was something of an aberration, but Middlesbrough have now conceded no more than one goal in nine of their last ten matches.

Four of those games have featured clean sheets, and just as Boro’s defence was one of their major assets in their last successful promotion campaign under Aitor Karanka, so their back four is once again proving a key strength under Pulis.

Cyrus Christie might have made some useful attacking contributions in the first half of the season, but Pulis had major reservations about the Irishman’s defending. Ryan Shotton has usurped him at right-back, and provided some ballast to the backline.

Ben Gibson and Daniel Ayala look rock solid at the heart of defence, and George Friend is gradually rediscovering the form that made him such a key component of the promotion-winning team from two seasons ago. Throw in the reliable Darren Randolph, and you have an extremely effective defensive unit.

REIGNITED PATRICK BAMFORD’S GOALSCORING SPARK

This one might be more about luck than judgement. Had Rudy Gestede not suffered a season-ending injury, Bamford would almost certainly have remained on the left-hand side of midfield.

He was doing a decent enough job there, but his form has leapt to a completely new level since he was moved up front halfway through the draw at the Stadium of Light.

Tuesday’s winner at Birmingham City made it seven goals in the space of four games, a return that makes Bamford the most in-form attacker in the Championship. He has not played this well since his initial loan spell on Teesside under Karanka.

For every winner there is a loser, and Boro’s record signing, Britt Assombalonga, must be an extremely frustrated figure sitting on the substitutes’ bench. Pulis will not care about that at all, though, provided Bamford carries on scoring.

SUCCESSFULLY INTRODUCED MO BESIC TO THE FRAY

Pulis spent the whole of January insisting that he was not too worried about trying to make additions to his squad. Yet throughout the transfer window, he had his eye on a couple of players he felt could make a difference.

We are yet to see too much of Jack Harrison, although Boro’s coaching team have been impressed with the youngster’s attitude since his move from Manchester City. Mo Besic made his fifth Boro start in Tuesday’s win at St Andrew’s though, and the Everton loanee has been an instant success.

Boro were hardly short of central midfielders under Monk, but too many players wanted to do the same thing. Adam Clayton, Grant Leadbitter, Jonny Howson, Adam Forshaw – the central midfield cast was pretty much interchangeable.

Besic is different because he is constantly looking to get on the front foot and possesses a drive and energy that make him more of a ‘box-to-box’ player than a sitting midfielder. His presence in the side has been an integral part of making Boro more adventurous and purposeful.

RAISED EXPECTATIONS AHEAD OF THE FINAL TEN GAMES

When Monk was dismissed in the wake of December’s win at Sheffield Wednesday, Boro were sitting in eighth position. They have only risen two places under Pulis, but their outlook has been completely transformed.

Monk’s team never really looked like holding on to a play-off place. Boro briefly forced their way into the top-six in November, but promotion always felt like an outside possibility rather than something that was on the cards.

Suddenly, on the back of four successive victories, things feel different. Boro head into today’s game with struggling Barnsley with their fans anticipating a comfortable home win that will cement a top-six spot. Momentum is a powerful thing, and it is currently on the Teessiders’ side.

Pulis has benefitted from the failings of some of Boro’s promotion rivals – Bristol City appear to have imploded, while Derby County are suffering quite a wobble – but his level-headed approach has nevertheless helped drive his players on. If you’re going to hit form at any stage of the season, it is always best to do it at the business end.