Bishop Auckland 0 Middlesbrough 5: Key talking points from Heritage Park

Chris Wilder used 21 different players at Heritage Park – goalkeeper Liam Roberts was the only player to play for more than 45 minutes – with Boro scoring first-half goals through Riley McGree and Tommy Smith.

Anfernee Dijksteel and Josh Coburn were also on target in the second half, with an own goal from Bishops defender Anthony Callaghan completing the scoring, so what were the key talking points from Boro’s opening pre-season game?

SMITH'S SURPRISE OUTING

Wilder didn’t like the idea of Tommy Smith being described as a ‘trialist’, but while he might have almost 400 appearances to his name, that is effectively what the 30-year-old full-back has been in the last week or so.

Smith has been training with Boro’s first-team squad following his release from Stoke City, and will be offered a contract to provide back-up and competition to Isaiah Jones once Djed Spence’s proposed move to Tottenham is completed.

The defender’s ability to fill the right wing-back role was showcased during the first half of Saturday’s game, with the icing on the cake coming courtesy of the clinical low finish that secured Boro’s second goal shortly before the interval.

“He’s (Smith) someone who’s played in the Premier League, captained in the Premier League, won promotion to the Premier League and played about 400 games,” said Wilder. “He’s come in and is training with us. He’s someone I’ve known for a long time, and it’s a position where we’re looking to strengthen.”

NEW SIGNINGS MAKE BOW

Boro have made three signings so far this summer – and all three played in the opening 45 minutes at Heritage Park.

Unsurprisingly, Roberts was not seriously tested as he was the only player to play for the full 90 minutes, but while he might have arrived with the expectation of being Boro’s second-choice goalkeeper next season, the former Northampton Town shot-stopper boasts a CV that suggests he should be more than capable of stepping up if required.

“He’s (Roberts) impressed everybody with his personality as much as his ability.," said Wilder. "He’s a really good addition to the goalkeeping department, although we’re obviously after another one.”

Darragh Lenihan played as the central figure in Boro’s three-man central defence, and having moved from Blackburn, the Irishman is clearly going to be a pivotal part of Wilder’s plans for next season. For all that Paddy McNair, Dael Fry and Anfernee Dijksteel have done well in the last few years, it looks like Lenihan will be first choice.

Ryan Giles will definitely be first choice at left wing-back, and the Wolves loanee delivered a couple of dangerous first-half crosses, suggesting he could be an ideal counter-balance to Isaiah Jones on the opposite flank.

SOME KEY ABSENTEES

Boro’s squad list was arguably more notable for the players that were not involved than the ones who did line up against Bishop.

Grant Hall, Uche Ikpeazu and Chuba Akpom were all nowhere to be seen, confirming that they do not have a future at the Riverside. All three have been told to look for a new club, with their representatives currently attempting to secure them moves away from Teesside.

Martin Payero was another notable absentee, although Wilder stated after the game that the Argentinian was unavailable because of injury. Be that as it may, it is becoming increasingly clear that the midfielder’s time as a Boro player looks to be drawing to an end, with Banfield and Boca Juniors leading a lengthening list of South American clubs interested in securing his services.

WILDER’S SYSTEM STAYS

While the Boro boss is overseeing a major overhaul of his playing squad
, there are no plans to change the tactical system that was in place throughout the second half of last season.

Boro will continue to play with three centre-halves and two wing-backs next term, mirroring the formation that proved so successful for Wilder during his time at Sheffield United.

The first-choice midfield three will almost certainly continue to feature a combination of Jonny Howson, Riley McGree, Marcus Tavernier and Matt Crooks, with two forwards playing ahead of whichever trio is selected.

The identity of those forwards remains up the air though, with Boro having been unable to make a breakthrough in their pursuit of a new striker.

YOUNGSTERS' HOPES

This time last year, Isaiah Jones was using pre-season to confirm his readiness for a permanent step up to the first-team group. Will there be a youngster making similar strides this summer?

Bryant Bilongo, a January signing from Kingstonian, played at centre-half during the first half, but given that he is only 20, it is hard to imagine the young defender playing much of a role once the real action begins.

Sonny Finch and Cal Kavanagh played a half each in attack, but while the latter looked the sharper of the pair, neither looks ready to feature on a regular basis.

If there is to be a breakthrough performer next season, perhaps it will be either Hayden Hackney or Joe Gibson, who dovetailed nicely in central midfield during the second half on Saturday.

Redcar-born Hackney has a loan spell at Scunthorpe under his belt, while Bishop Auckland-born Gibson made his senior debut in last season’s FA Cup win at Mansfield. Both will hope to get more first-team exposure over the course of the next ten months.