Coventry City threat noted as Middlesbrough panel dissect Anfernee Dijksteel decision

Michael Carrick made a bold call at Norwich City, dropping Luke Ayling in favour of Anfernee Dijksteel - who would once again go on to have a solid game for Middlesbrough in the 3-3 draw.

The start was Dijksteel's first since the Stoke City win last month, after which, the Boro boss admitted it was harsh as he took the Suriname international straight out of the team as Rav van den Berg returned from injury.

While the decision to take Ayling out against Norwich may have in some part been inspired by the fact it was a three-game week, the Boro boss will now have a decision to make for Boro's next match, with Dijksteel seemingly justifying his right to stay in the side.

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With that in mind, and with Coventry the visitors this weekend, we asked our Fan Panel if they would keep Dijksteel in the team this weekend. Our panel, which consists of Youtuber and talkSport journalist Phil Spencer, Boro Breakdown co-host Dana Malt, Boropolis co-founder Chris Cassidy and Twe12th Man member John Donovan.

Chris Cassidy

Anfernee Dijksteel has previously had to rely on injuries and suspension for opportunities in Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough team. Nevertheless, with little indication that Luke Ayling’s absence in the starting XI against Norwich was fitness-related, the Suriname international may have finally got his real chance.

Up until this point, there’s unfortunately been somewhat of a recurring theme to Dijksteel’s performances under Carrick. He’s been sent off twice, and it seems like he’s given away numerous penalties. However, in his defence, a lot of those appearances have come after large spells out the team with little to no football in between. A certain level of rustiness has therefore come as no surprise, and despite most thinking the defender’s time on Teesside would come to an end this summer, Dijksteel’s displays this campaign have been largely impressive.

He got his first goal for the club during the demolition of Leeds United in the League Cup, and Carrick himself admitted it was ‘harsh’ to drop Dijksteel after he featured in the win against Stoke in September. In addition, there was also an assist for the twenty-eight-year-old against Norwich.

On the balance, Dijksteel probably does deserve to keep his place against Coventry. Partly down to that Norwich performance, but also factoring in Luke Ayling’s level of performance since re-joining Boro on a permanent basis. Boro’s vice captain hasn’t been able to replicate the attacking output that ultimately won him a contract at the end of the last season and has also struggled at times against more direct wingers.

One of Dijksteel’s main attributes, his athleticism, also provides Boro with the opportunity to quickly move the ball up the pitch. He has a 71% success rate when dribbling with the ball, compared to that of Ayling, who only has a 40% success rate.

Dana Malt

I’d keep Dijksteel in. I think Luke Ayling has been fine, and I was surprised to see Michael Carrick drop him to the bench on Sunday, but consistency within the team would do Boro good.

It’s also worth noting that Coventry will have Haji Wright operating on their left-hand side at points during this weekend’s game. He’s a direct threat, having averaged 3.29 carries into the penalty area per 90 so far this season - the fourth most in the league.

What I noted during the Sheffield United game was that Ayling was having a tough time at points up against Rhian Brewster, whose pace got the better of Boro’s captain on a few occasions. Dijksteel may fare better in a 1v1, especially when you factor in recovery pace.

Dijksteel will also provide Boro with a bit more support to Ben Doak (not like he really needs it), given his tendency to overlap and underlap the right winger.

Phil Spencer

While it's incredibly harsh on Anfernee Dijksteel, I'd bring Luke Ayling back into the team against Coventry. Dijksteel was solid once again during the clash with Norwich and this season has certainly showed that he's more than capable of being a strong option for Middlesbrough despite his career at the club seeming all-but over.

Unfortunately for him, I just think that Ayling offers more as an overall package. The match at Carrow Road was utter mayhem and while Ayling did come off the bench late on, I feel like it was the sort of contest where Boro could have used a little bit more experience and knowhow from earlier in the match in order to manage it a little bit better.

When you look at our leaders - Lenihan, Fry, Smith, Ayling, Howson - none of them were on the pitch from the start and that's something that I think needs to resolved in order to make us a more solid and consistent side.

Obviously there are fitness and injury concerns in there, while breaking up the pairing of Morris and Hackney seems silly, meaning that right back is potentially a spot where we need to bring one of those leaders into the side.

I think that either Howson and/or Ayling need to start against Coventry and if it's the choice of dropping Morris/Hackney or Dijksteel, there's only one choice for me.

John Donovan

I would, injuries aside, keep the same starting eleven from the Norwich City draw last Sunday. Dijksteel played a major part in what was a very good team display that disappointingly only picked up a point. He was up against one of the Championship's better players in Borja Sainz but was not to blame for either of his 2 world-class finishes. He was heavily involved in our second goal, being available for Ben Doak to find and for him to lay it on a plate for Tommy Conway. He did enough, in my opinion, to keep his place.

The Championship is a relentless slog, so players, especially the more experienced ones, may have to give way occasionally to rest and recuperate. I'm hoping we see another solid display for Anfernee Dijksteel on Saturday.

As well as hearing their views on particular Boro topics on Teesside Live each week, you can also hear from them further on their respective platforms. Phil Spencer runs his own Youtube channel which you can subscribe to here. Dana Malt is part of the Boro Breakdown Podcast, Chris Cassidy is part of the Boropolis Podcast, and John Donovan is a mainstay on the Twe12th Man Podcast, all of which you can listen to on all major podcast outlets.