Middlesbrough defender Dael Fry has praised Pulis’ tactical change to deploy three central-defenders, and has carried over what he has learnt on Teesside into England under-21 duty.

Speaking to reporters at St. George’s Park when on international duty, Middlesbrough defender Dael Fry has expressed his opinion on playing in a back three or back five.

Both Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis and England under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd employ similar formations, choosing to use Fry alongside two other central defenders in a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 formation.

“I’ve played it a lot at Middlesbrough and we’ve been getting results there,” said Fry.

“So I know the formation quite well. We spent about three days before the Dutch game playing it in training. But we worked hard at it and the lads adapted really well and kept a clean sheet.”

The match ended 0-0, but there were plenty of positives to take from the game, with Fry keeping a clean sheet one of the most important.

Senior England manager Gareth Southgate opted for a 5-3-2 formation in this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia, and Boothroyd looks to be adopting a similar tactic, and Fry will be able to take on the information from club manager Pulis into international fixtures with England.

“It’s a formation which gives the defence a lot of protection and provides you a lot more options on the ball. But the quality within this squad, we are confident we can adapt to any shape the manager wants us to.

“A point against a side like that, who contain a lot of really talented players, was a valuable one and it’s another one towards qualification. Now we want to add another three to our tally.”