Middlesbrough's Summer Signings Pay Off as Phillips Shines
Middlesbrough's most recent signing, Ashley Phillips, may be the best one yet. With 75 Championship appearances under his belt, Phillips is ready-made to slot straight into the side. His 6ft 4in frame will solve one of the ongoing problems for Boro, which have been struggling with dealing with corners and crosses.
What Happened?
Boro regularly look dodgy in dealing with corners and crosses, just as they did against Lincoln City. They could easily have conceded a trio of goals to the Imps if the promoted side had possessed enough players of decent heading ability in their squad. However, with Phillips on board, Boro's defense is looking more solid than ever.
Why It Matters for Middlesbrough
The signing of Phillips means that the likes of Alfie Jones and George Edmundson are going to need to step further up the ladder in an effort to force their way back into the starting line-up. This is great to see in many respects, as it indicates that Boro are now much better equipped to meet the rigors of another Championship promotion bid.
What Comes Next?
With the mouth-watering prospect of Phillips making his debut at Blackburn, Tony Mowbray will know that the defender will make things all the more difficult for his team on Saturday. Phillips started his career with Blackburn when Mowbray was first in charge at Ewood Park, and made his senior debut at the age of 16. Mowbray described Phillips as phenomenal, saying: "He's fast, mobile and can pass it really well. He can use both feet, he's composed…if you were to create a defender in the mould of how you would want one, this kid has got every attitude."
League Standing
Middlesbrough are currently 4th in the Championship, with 3 points from 1 game, and a recent form of W. They will be looking to continue their winning streak as they take on Blackburn at home on 2027-03-02.
Goals This Season
Middlesbrough have scored 2 goals and conceded 1 so far this season, with a goal difference of +1.
Next Fixture
Middlesbrough's next fixture is against Blackburn at home on 2027-03-02, where they will be looking to make it two wins in a row.
