Magnificent seven: Boro stars who are shining under Edwards

ROB Edwards has now been in-post at Middlesbrough for a little over three months, with plenty of change in that time.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

As well as an excellent start to the new season, many players have come and gone in what was a huge summer turnaround. With a change in tactics and style of play, it’s fair to say the new head coach has already implanted his way at Boro, though of course there is still much work and improvement to do.

But in the first ten games of the new season, there have been many feelgood stories of players transforming their fortunes under the new boss, and others who have quickly established themselves as favourites.

We take a look at the seven biggest winners under Edwards at Boro.

LUKE AYLING

Many had written Luke Ayling off after his difficult campaign last term. Injuries and fitness concerns impacted form, and he began to struggle in the attack-minded system under Michael Carrick where he was regularly left exposed one-v-one against some of the league’s finest attackers.

He admitted himself recently that he even started to question if he was finished, but the arrival of Edwards has breathed new life into his career.

He's one of only six players to have started all nine league games so far, and he’s impressed too, earning a nomination for the PFA Championship Player of the Month in September.

He's been the biggest beneficiary of the switch to a back three, with his move to right-sided centre-back leaving him less exposed to one-v-one defending and allowing him to accentuate his strengths. That he even came through a three-game week looking well was evidence of his work to rebuild his fitness.

SAMMY SILVERA

Silvera may no longer be a regular, but the fact he’s even making the squad at all on a regular basis is a testament to the excellent summer transformation he enjoyed at Boro.

Failed loan spells last season at Portsmouth and then Blackpool meant he looked almost certain to leave Boro this summer.