One Hell of a task: New boss Kim must hit ground running

HELLBERG NEEDS TO EMULATE QUICK IMPACT MADE BY BORO'S LAST THREE HEAD COACHES

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KIM Hellberg needs to get to grips with life in the English Championship from the very start.

There can be no bedding in period. The highly-rated Swedish head coach must hit the ground running if he is to maintain Middlesbrough's place in the automatic promotion positions.

In fact, Hellberg needs to emulate the impact made by Boro's last three head coaches, all of whom made a big impression on the squad upon their arrival on Teesside.

Like Hellberg, Rob Edwards was regarded as something of a gamble when Boro appointed him at the start of this season, but he won six and drew three of his opening ten league games.

While Edwards took 21 points from the first 10, Michael Carrick did slightly better by winning seven and drawing one for a tally of 22 points.

Chris Wilder was not far behind, winning six and drawing two for a total of 20 points.

In effect, all three of Boro's previous head coaches needed no time at all to stamp their presence on the squad and lift the dressing room and fans alike.

Edwards did it rather effectively by dramatically improving the defence with the addition of Callum Brittain, Alfie Jones and Matt Targett. Hellberg clearly does not need to do much work in this area, especially as Adilson Malanda is about to be added.

The Swede will need to give much greater consideration to his team's attacking credentials when the January window opens.

Remarkably, Edwards suffered an incredible blip in only his second game when Boro were thrashed 4-0 at home by League One Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup. It's still hard to believe this game really happened because otherwise Edwards' Boro teams were a model of near consistency in the Championship.