First-half injuries to Alex Bangura and Riley McGree represented a major blow, with Bradford claiming the lead when Antoni Sarcevic converted from the spot after Darragh Lenihan was adjudged to have hauled down Joe Wright.
Will Swan added a second Bantams goal as he slotted through the legs of substitute goalkeeper Sol Brynn with the final kick of the game. What did we learn from the game at Valley Parade?
NEED FOR SIGNINGS
It’s a pretty obvious thing to say, but Boro desperately need to strengthen their squad. While the signing of Alfie Jones from Hull City is understood to be close, the Teessiders’ lack of summer transfer activity is a major concern.
The squad is looking extremely light, with a lack of competition and cover in a number of positions glaringly apparent. Even with Jones’ arrival, Boro look short at the back, especially if Rav van den Berg completes his much-mooted move to Feyenoord.
Marcus Forss and Delano Burgzorg both spent time playing through the middle in the second half, but neither is a natural ‘number nine’. As things stand though, one of the pair would have to start up front if anything was to happen to Conway ahead of the Championship opener against Swansea.
INJURY ISSUES
As if the squad wasn’t looking light enough anyway, the first-half injuries sustained by Alex Bangura and Riley McGree mean two more players will now be missing when Boro head to Ibrox to face Rangers on Saturday.
Rob Edwards is hoping that the injuries to Bangura and McGree are not serious, but given the pair’s recent record, there will understandable concerns about whether either is able to withstand the rigours of regular Championship football.
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Edwards will have to start gradually increasing the intensity of Boro’s pre-season work in the next two weeks, but he cannot afford to suffer any more injuries.
THREE AT THE BACK
Edwards says he wants to be flexible when it comes to formations, but the fact that Boro played the whole of last night’s game with three centre-halves and wing-backs cements the notion that that is the new head coach’s preferred formation.
It’s the same that Edwards used so effectively at Luton, but in the absence of natural wing-backs, it feels somewhat like he’s having to shoehorn square pegs into round holes to make it work at Boro.
Having played as a left wing-back at Mansfield, Sammy Silvera lined up as a right wing-back last night. Better known as a winger, it’s debatable whether the Australian really suits either role.
HACKNEY’S CLASS
It wasn’t a night when too many Boro players shone, but Hayden Hackney stood out a mile at the heart of midfield.
The England Under-21 international was involved in all of his side’s best moments, gliding forward with pace and purpose while also linking effectively with Aidan Morris.
Yes, selling the 23-year-old would generate funds that could be reinvested. He might well be the best midfielder in the Championship though, and could prove impossible to replace.
FRINGE PLAYERS FLOP
This has not been a good week for Boro’s fringe players. Mansfield scored three second-half goals on Saturday when Edwards delved into the depths of his squad, and Boro were poor after the break again last night after making a flurry of changes.
The likes of Alex Gilbert and Micah Hamilton need a strong pre-season after somewhat unsuccessful loan moves last term, but neither looked anywhere near the required standard as they toiled against League One opposition last night. Hamilton, in particular, looks like a player who has completely lost his confidence.
That said, though, his hand might be forced unless reinforcements arrive before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.