Tommy Smith was by no means the most headline grabbing Middlesbrough signing of the summer but the capture of the reliable defender is looking shrewder by the week.

It's impossible to ignore the brilliance of Chuba Akpom and Hayden Hackney, the teasing left-footed deliveries of Ryan Giles, the consistent excellence of Jonny Howson, Dael Fry looking to back to his best and the promising flashes from Isaiah Jones when assessing the best Boro performers since Michael Carrick's arrival.

But Smith's understated consistency and rock solid showings at right-back have been key in helping to make the system work.

READ MORE: Inside Carrick's first three weeks in charge & Boro's transformation

Smith was signed in the summer as reliable cover for Jones at right-wing back, but the switch of system under first Leo Percovich and then Carrick meant Jones was nudged forward into his natural role as a winger and opened a vacancy for an orthodox full-back.

Anfernee Dijksteel might have appeared to be the favourite for that spot but Smith got the nod for the win at Wigan - the first game Boro moved from a back three to four - and has played every minute since.

Defensively dependable, Smith's presence on the right of the back four has given Jones the freedom to focus on what he's good at: getting at players and making full-backs uncomfortable. 

There's a nice balance and blend, and it's the same on the opposite flank, where Ryan Giles and Riley McGree understand each other's game and are helping to bring the best out of each other.

McGree on the left has a slightly different role to Jones on the right. Not only does the Australia international have a bit more of a roaming role going forward but he's also disciplined and aware of what's happening behind, allowing Giles to get forward and tease in those brilliant crosses. 

After the Norwich win, Carrick said of McGree: "I’m pleased for him because he’s done a lot of work over the last few games; really good work for the team in terms of his defensive positioning and making things happen for us."

Jones and Giles have created almost a quarter - seven - of Boro's Championship goals this season and their allies on the flanks - Smith and McGree - are key in getting the best out of Boro's wide dangermen.

It isn't just on the pitch where Smith has been integral. He's quickly established himself as a dressing room leader, something Wilder spoke about earlier in the season.

The former boss said: "Tommy Smith is showing exactly why I brought him to the football club. Of course, it was about putting pressure on Isaiah Jones and making sure his training standards are spot on. But he’s been brilliant in the dressing room."

Smith's form and consistency shouldn't come as a surprise.

He may well be extremely experienced with more than 300 professional appearances to his name but he's by no means approaching the end of his career. He's still only 30 and arrived at Boro in the summer having started 64 of Stoke's 92 Championship games in the two seasons prior to this one.

Wilder made no secret of the fact Smith was signed as cover and competition, but circumstances quickly change in football. And with a change of circumstances often comes opportunities. Smith has taken his with both hands.

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