Edwards hails fans' 'brilliant' response to Whittaker

ROB Edwards moved to thank Middlesbrough supporters for their response to Morgan Whittaker on Friday evening, and explained how his decision to drop the forward to the bench was about picking the best team for that game only.

- By CRAIG JOHNS [e-mail] @craig_johns

Whittaker, and his potential selection, had been a major talking point ahead of it. It followed events last weekend at Preston North End when the 24-year-old was jeered off the pitch by sections of Boro fans.

Edwards had called that out at the time and made clear his desire for togetherness this season. He'd then backed Whittaker to respond in the right way before relaying his expectations that the fans would get behind him against West Brom at the Riverside.