One for all and all for one

THERE'S a real feelgood factor at Middlesbrough right now. A record-breaking start with five wins from six games certainly helps.

- By CRAIG JOHNS [e-mail] @craig_johns

But such a good start is by no means an accident. Rob Edwards arrived in the summer and set about coaching a new system and style that the Boro players have taken to. His influence in games has made a big difference too, with impactful subs a real theme of Boro's early season results.

As players too though, there's been a noticeable change in mentality - something a couple of players have already alluded to.

In an interview earlier in the summer, Tommy Conway spoke about how the players recognised where they fell short last season and were taking more accountability to manage the dressing room and set the standards.

Later down the line, Aidan Morris, another like Conway who has become an influential figure in the Boro dressing room, spoke about a culture shift this summer, and of Boro players raising their standards and challenging one another for the good of the team.