Tommy Conway arrived at Middlesbrough two years ago from Bristol City with a clear brief: lead the line, score goals, be the number nine. He has done exactly that, netting 13 in each of his first two seasons at the club. Yet this campaign, under head coach Kim Hellberg, Conway has found himself doing something rather different, and he could not be more enthusiastic about it.

A tactical shift, willingly accepted

Since Hellberg took charge, Conway has been deployed predominantly as a left winger rather than a central striker. The Scotland international is still wearing the number nine shirt, but his responsibilities on the pitch have changed considerably. For many players, such a repositioning might provoke friction. Conway's response, as he explained to BBC Radio Tees, has been the opposite.

"I feel like I'm open to learning," Conway said. "When Kim came in and adjusted, I was on board with it. I fully bought into it. I could have chucked my toys out of the pram saying I wanted to be the number nine and play through the middle, but that's not me. I just want to play and help the team in any way, shape or form."

It is a mature attitude from a 24-year-old who, by his own admission, is learning a position he never occupied during his earlier career. "I'm now learning every day to be a left winger and I feel like I'm getting better every week," he said. "I'm getting more confident coming up against the full-backs because it's not something I would have done throughout my career growing up."

Contribution growing in assists and goals

With Will Lankshear, who joined from Tottenham in the summer, shouldering much of the goalscoring responsibility with 11 strikes already this season, Conway's output has shifted towards creativity. He has registered three assists in the campaign so far, the most eye-catching of which came in Boro's home win over Wolves: a precise left-footed cross from the left flank to set up Lankshear for the decisive goal.

Conway then opened his own account for the season during the 2-2 draw with Cardiff City, scoring the first as Middlesbrough came from two goals down at half-time to claim a point. That match was also his 10th appearance of the campaign and the first time he had completed a full 90 minutes in five months, a significant marker given what he endured at the end of last season.

Back from a heartbreaking injury

Conway's 2024-25 campaign ended in devastating fashion. He fractured his ankle during the second leg of Middlesbrough's play-off semi-final against Southampton in May, leaving the pitch in tears. In a single moment, his hopes of helping Boro secure promotion and of representing Scotland at the World Cup were ended.

The recovery over the summer was lengthy and demanding. Conway has been candid about the fact that it has taken him a couple of months since returning to rediscover his sharpest form. He believes that moment has now arrived. "I felt back to my best against Wolves," he said. "The gaffer then looked after a few of us in midweek so then I was able to go again and score."

His motivation for the rest of the Championship season is straightforward. "Everyone knows how much I love playing for this club and in front of these fans," Conway said. "I just want to do well and I just want to get to the Premier League. One foot in front of the other, every day trying to get better and hopefully we'll get there at the end of the season."

What it means for Middlesbrough's system

Hellberg's willingness to repurpose Conway is an interesting tactical statement. Rather than fielding an orthodox wide player and keeping his experienced striker central, the Boro head coach has found additional value in Conway's movement, link-up play and growing ability to beat a full-back. With Lankshear thriving as the focal point, the system appears to be working. Whether Conway can add more goals to his assists column from the left flank could be a significant factor in how far Middlesbrough push in the second tier this season.

Frequently asked

What position is Tommy Conway playing for Middlesbrough this season?
Conway is playing predominantly as a left winger this season under head coach Kim Hellberg, despite continuing to wear the number nine shirt. It is a shift from his previous role as a central striker.
How many goals has Tommy Conway scored for Middlesbrough?
Conway has scored 27 goals for Middlesbrough across nearly 100 appearances, netting 13 in each of his first two seasons at the club. He opened his account for the current campaign in the 2-2 draw with Cardiff City.
Is Tommy Conway fit again after his play-off injury?
Yes. Conway fractured his ankle in Middlesbrough's play-off semi-final against Southampton in May 2025. He returned this season and has said he felt back to his best during Boro's home win over Wolves.