No panic! Edwards is rewarded for staying calm and collected

TAKE a bow Rob Edwards, for refusing to panic after the Doncaster embarrassment.

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It would have been easy for the Middlesbrough head coach to return to the drawing board and pack his side with defensive minded players and adopt a negative approach at Millwall.

He did tinker with his side a little. The decision to bring in young defensive midfielder Abdoulaye Kante from the start and push Hayden Hackney further forward had mixed results.

Kante did his best but indicated that he will need more time to settle in. So it was no surprise that he was replaced at the interval.

I've always said that Hackney has a great deal to offer as an attacking midfielder and he proved that, by being in the right position to score the opening goal - even after he had apparently been moved back to a deeper role.

Edwards was right to take off Kante during the interval and, once he had fired Boro in front, Hackney was able to concentrate on defensive duties and help out the defence.

In addition, Edwards' decision to bring on Sontje Hansen at the break came like a breath of fresh air. Suddenly there was a positive vibe within the team again.

The head coach has quickly assessed his squad. He now knows exactly what to do with them, which formations work best, and no doubt where any potential problems may lie.

Sammy Silvera's reintroduction has worked superbly so far and now the signing of another striker might prove to be the difference between Boro contesting a top six spot or not.

They have to keep it going. Norwich City will provide a big test especially following their hard-earned 2-1 win at Portsmouth.