Middlesbrough’s resilience impresses Rob Edwards as they keep control at the top

Rob Edwards praised a resilient display from Middlesbrough as they continued their impressive start to the season with a 2-1 win over West Brom.

Summer signings David Strelec and Kaly Sene were both on the scoresheet with goals either side of the break before Aune Heggebo pulled one back for the Baggies in the 90th minute.

Boro held on to maintain their unbeaten record in the Sky Bet Championship and stay top of the table after six games.

Reflecting on the match, Edwards said: “Really pleased with the win, we weren’t at our best but I give credit to West Brom for that. They’re a good team, well-coached with good players, so it was hard.

“The last moment – the one they scored from – I felt relatively secure with the adjustments that we’d made. (Callum) Brittain got cramp, we weren’t able to get out to the throw-in, so he had loads of time to put the ball in and we concede. Obviously it’s a little bit nervy.

“Credit to the lads because we showed a lot of resilience tonight, that was probably the most pleasing thing for me.

“We lost George (Edmundson) in the first half, so we had one centre-back on the pitch for the majority of the game, so to show that resilience, that side of us, it was very pleasing.”

Boro’s summer signings proved to be the difference as Strelec and Sene both scored their first goals for the club.

Sene replaced Strelec at half-time, going on to finish off a brilliant team move to score Boro’s second – and Edwards believes his new arrivals are still adjusting to the speed of English football.

Asked whether the half-time change was tactical, Edwards said: “Yeah, just wanting a bit more energy and intensity.

“All of our lads – especially the lads who’ve come from abroad – they’ve got to get used to English football. The intensity of the league as well, it’s hard.

“Really pleased with what David did, but I felt it was Kaly’s game. It was Kaly coming off at Preston last week and he came on tonight.

“I think it might be like that for a little while whilst we’re getting everyone up to speed and they’re learning about us and what we do.

“The exciting thing is we’re not at our best yet because we’ve got so many new players still understanding what we are and what we do.”

West Brom head coach Ryan Mason described defeat at the Riverside as “disappointing”.

After going 1-0 down at half-time, the Baggies enjoyed a strong start after the break with chances from Price, Jed Wallace and Alex Mowatt before Boro suddenly struck again.

Reflecting on an improved second-half, Mason said: “We responded and it’s not easy to do that. They’re a good side in a really good moment.

“I thought the lads put a lot of effort and energy in. We showed some real quality at times, maybe just that final bit was missing.

“I can’t fault the lads’ effort, their belief for the whole game. The feeling is disappointment but we need to continue to work and keep improving.”