Hard work on set pieces looks to be paying off for Boro

...AND THEY LOOKED MORE SOLID AT THE BACK IN EDWARDS' NEW SET-UP

- By CRAIG JOHNS

"WE have worked hard on it. But, if we have to go away from home and leave with a 1-0 win from a set-piece, then I want us to be able to do that as well.

That was Rob Edwards discussing set-pieces and the success Middlesbrough had from them during preseason after Rangers.

Similarly, his new assistant Harry Watling said of his time as a coach at Ibrox: "That's a stat that I'm really proud of [24 set piece goals in 30 games]. Set-pieces can win or lose you games, so the squad totally respect the importance of those moments."

And that was the story of Boro's opening-day win against Swansea, or at least the decisive story.

There was, of course, a lot more to it than just Dael Fry's 51st minute header from yet another Morgan Whittaker corner. But it's something they worked hard on over the summer and they got their rewards for it, with three points on the table.

This was a tight game. It was one lacking in much quality from either side, as both still work on their sharpness. Swans boss Alan Sheehan described it as a game of fine margins that felt like a 0-0. It was a fair reflection, with neither keeper tested too much. One Whittaker strike from range in the first half required a superb fingertip save from Lawrence Vigouroux.