Gordon Greer and Joe Bennett probably have differing views on the managerial merits of Gordon Strachan.

But there is no disguising the Albion captain's admiration for the part on-loan Bennett is playing in the revised rearguard.

Aston Villa left-back Bennett locks horns at the Amex today with Middlesbrough, the club where he made his name, although not while Strachan was in charge.

Greer, fresh from his starring role for Strachan's Scotland in Tuesday's draw in Poland, has been impressed by Bennett since his switch from Villa Park for the season.

Greer told The Argus: "We've been very blessed here with the standard of left-backs we've had in recent years with Bridgey (Wayne Bridge) and Wardy (Stephen Ward) last year did great.

"Joe is a fantastic young talent. He has showed in the month or so we have been here he is a really good player. We are lucky to have him."

Greer now has Bennett to one side of him, David Stockdale not Tomasz Kuszczak behind him and Lewis Dunk not Matt Upson next to him.

It is not just the personnel which has changed. The style has been modified too by Sami Hyypia.

The full-backs are higher up the pitch than ever, so high that Bennett could have scored a hat-trick in the last home game against Cardiff but for the exploits of Greer's international colleague David Marshall.

Greer said: "He was probably one of our most potent attackers. Marshall pulled off some great saves from Joe in particular. He was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet."

Hyypia's philosophy is perfectly suited to Bennett's attacking instincts. During his third season with Boro, for whom he made 92 appearances in four years, the 24-year-old Lancastrian spoke about Dani Alves of Barcelona and Brazil.

He said: "I watched Dani Alves and that is something you have to aim for, to play like him. He's good to watch and I think he does more attacking than defending.

"The modern day full-back is all about getting up and supporting. That is how I have been taught growing up. I will keep on doing that.

"Obviously I have to keep on working on my defending, I have said that many times but I do like to get forward even though I have to get back too. I will keep on doing that, supporting, crossing and trying to get a goal as well."

During Strachan's Boro reign Bennett admitted to feeling down and wanted to leave on loan.

He became a regular under Tony Mowbray and was eventually sold to Villa for £3 million in September 2012, a deal which helped Mowbray balance the books.

Six months earlier Bennett featured for Boro in a 1-1 draw on their ever visit to the Amex.

The Albion defence that day included Greer and Inigo Calderon - available again after a ban - as well as three others no longer at the club, Peter Brezovan, Joe Mattock and Adam El-Abd.

Irrespective of the identity of those involved, Albion have been generally solid at the back throughout the Amex era.

Surprisingly, they have kept only one clean sheet in the last seven matches at home at Championship level, against Blackpool last month.

Greer attributes that to teething troubles. He said: "Right through the whole squad a lot of new players have come in.

"We work on things day in and day out. We're a good bunch of lads. We give it everything and try to do our best, who ever the manager sends out.

"We are just focusing on the positives and can hopefully keep the performances going. I think they have been very good over the last few weeks."