Middlesbrough's hope Luke Ayling builds on positive debut to recapture past Leeds United form

Middlesbrough will be hope Luke Ayling can build on his positive debut at Millwall and recapture his past Leeds United form that made him a legend at Elland Road.

Understandably rusty initially after just 12 minutes of action since the start of November, Ayling quickly got to grips with the Millwall game and became a key player for Boro in overturning their early one-goal deficit. Solidifying Boro defensively after the home side's fast-paced start, the 32-year-old also proved an important outlet when in possession, displaying his capabilities on the ball and in getting forward as Boro won 3-1.

It was a really positive debut that displayed exactly why Boro were so keen to sign the defender, slightly moving away from their usual transfer strategy in the process. With Tommy Smith and Darragh Lenihan injured for the rest of the season, it was believed Ayling could help steel things up at the back for Michael Carrick's side with his experience and leadership.

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A legend at Leeds United after over seven years at the club, and a key member of their promotion-winning team and subsequent Premier League squad, Ayling dropped off for the Whites over the last 12 months. But so far so good in a Boro shirt, as most of what we saw on Saturday was reminiscent of what made him so popular at Leeds.

Whites reporter Beren Cross, of our sister site Leeds Live, said of Ayling: "In his pomp, Ayling was an excellent right-back who would attack and defend effectively in a high-energy, man-to-man system like Marcelo Bielsa’s. Beyond that, he was a fighter and someone you could tell would give his blood, sweat and tears for the shirt.

"It seems quite hard nowadays to describe a full-back as anything other than a marauder who wants to get forward. But Ayling can tuck in where Michael Carrick needs him to play as a second or third centre-back. He is combative and savvy. He is experienced and knows what he can get away with on the field, how to get under opponents’ skin, for example.

"He is better on the overlap than the underlap and will be keen to support attacks when he can. He can still deliver a decent cross and his late arrivals at the back post have been superb in the past."

Alas, at Leeds at least, there was a declining trend in his game over the past year. He lost his place under Daniel Farke and a late cameo appearance from the bench at Leicester City early in the November proved his last league appearance for Leeds United.

Beren continued: "At 32, Ayling is hardly old or ready for retirement, but it’s been clear to see a decline in his game over the past 12 months. Pacy, tricky wingers have cut him to ribbons in one-on-one situations and he has been guilty of switching off as attackers run off him at times. He likes to attack but he doesn’t have the recovery pace he once had.

"It’s just been the passing of time and even though 32 is hardly retirement age, Ayling’s limitations were painfully evident in the early part of the season. The emergence of 17-year-old Archie Gray, who many down here expect to be a future England international in midfield, has also lessened the need for Ayling.

"It became too hard to ignore those flaws anymore, despite his immense service to the club and highly respected status at Elland Road."

While those limitations would have no doubt factored into Boro's considerations when preparing their bid to sign Ayling, it would appear his strengths outweighed the weaknesses, particularly when considering their own unique needs. While Ayling has some scope to attack, that won't necessarily be on the overlap, with Boro's right-wingers Isaiah Jones and Marcus Forss hard-working, pacey and usually looking for the right-back to support them and create their openings, rather than rely on them on the overlap.

Ayling did that well on Saturday and used his experience to quickly work Millwall's left-sided attack of Joe Bryan and Zian Flemming out. The biggest factor for Boro though - while obviously needing him to be good enough - was his leadership.

"Ayling will be immense in the dressing room and one of his strengths will be lifting morale among team-mates, which should lift the overall level of the team on the pitch," Beren says. "He’s a vocal leader, absolutely. His age and experience have taken him to that point in his career and even if there may be weaknesses developing in his own game, his organisation and inspiration of team-mates will be invaluable."

Ayling didn't stop talking at the Den. He didn't ever look perturbed as the hostile Millwall fanbase directed plenty of negative attention in his direction. It seems he'll be a miss at Elland Road too, with Dan James noting after their win at Cardiff: "Luke leaving was obviously the loss of a massive character.

"He was absolutely brilliant for us over such a long period. It was sad to see him go because he's a great friend. I've seen his result, he has come straight in at Middlesbrough and they have won 3-1. We have obviously lost a character but we have got a lot of others and I thought we showed that against Cardiff."

More of the same from Ayling and it will prove a very savvy signing for Boro. Available on a free in the summer as well, there's real potential for longer term should it suit both parties at that time, with all on Teesside appreciating that sometimes experience is needed to help the younger asset-style signings.