We Are Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards says that new signing David Strelec is "an exciting player" for the squad after the forward impressed while on international duty.

Strelec scored and provided an assist during Slovakia's 2-0 victory over Germany in World Cup qualifying and could make his debut for Boro on Saturday against Preston North End (12:30 BST) after joining on transfer deadline day.

"He's someone that our guys have been watching and keen on for a long time," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees.

"He can playing a number of positions in that top line, probably different attributes to what we've got. A little bit bigger, probably a little bit stronger than one or two that are on the front line for us.

"The way we are playing at the moment, with that front three, he can play in any of those three positions which is really good for us."

Listen to the full pre-match interview with Edwards and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards has been named Championship manager of the month for August.

Boro have won all of their opening four games to land them at the top of the table and give them their best start in 31 years.

Edwards, who was appointed in June following the dismissal of Michael Carrick, has earned praise from fans for his tactical adjustments and open attitude.

"It's a big team effort from everyone, players, staff and supporters, and it's great to get some recognition for that," Edwards said.

"There's a nice feeling around the place. I'm lucky to work with some good people, some good players, and I've really been welcomed by the fantastic supporters, so it's been good.

"It's been great to get some results early doors, equally, we're only four games in and there's 42 to go, so we're not getting carried away.

"Performances have been good – we've deserved the victories - and I think there's more to come from us. We have to focus on staying level and being consistent because we have some talent here."

The 40-year-old beat out Coventry City's Frank Lampard, West Bromwich Albion's Ryan Mason and Stoke City's Mark Robins for the award.

Middlesbrough head of football Kieran Scott has said it was Rob Edwards' "passion" and "energy" that made him the right pick for their head coach role.

Edwards replaced former boss Michael Carrick in June after Boro failed to make the Championship play-offs last season.

"I thought all his characteristics are right for Middlesbrough," Scott told BBC Radio Tees. "He's a good character, an emotional guy and he's connected with the fans really quickly. I can assure you that's not a facade from him, that is him.

"I thought we were missing a bit of that. I thought we need a bit of passion and a bit of energy and Rob brings that in abundance."

The appointment followed criticism of the time it took between the conclusion of the season and Carrick's dismissal.

However, Scott said the former England midfielder's service to the club over his two and a half years in charge warranted "a lengthy review".

He said: "It did take a little bit of time, for sure, but it was on the basis that we wanted to do the right thing and Michael deserved that time to speak about it in depth."

The decision to sack Carrick and appoint Edwards has gone smoothly for the Teesside club so far, with Boro enjoying a 100% winning record to lead the second tier after four games.

Boro were able to secure deals in the summer such as a loan spell for Manchester City teenager Sverre Nypan - a move that the Premier League side were more than happy to facilitate.

"My understanding was that we were the choice for them [Manchester City], they identified us," Scott added.

"We've got a good track record with loan players over the years and we've shown that we will play good players even if they are young. So it's good that City see us as that and hopefully we can keep doing it."

Listen to the full interview with Scott and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds

"It was probably the most difficult decision I've ever had to make."

BBC Radio Tees' Gary Philipson talks to former Middlesbrough FC analyst Phil Hudson about how his career began and trading life on Teesside for a new adventure in Europe.

Listen to the full interview with Hudson and more on BBC Sounds.

New Middlesbrough signing Alan Browne said his loan move from parent club Sunderland to Teesside was the "ideal scenario".

The midfielder told BBC Radio Tees that he was expecting a different move, but a late call from Boro boss Rob Edwards tempted the Irishman to join the Black Cats.

"I had interest elsewhere, and I was probably more inclined to go there, but the night before the window closed, the gaffer rang me up and said they were interested - and it ticked a lot of boxes for me," Browne said.

"I did say if they came in, it would be the ideal scenario to keep my family, who are quite settled in the area, around.

"In that regard it was brilliant, but also as a club, it's a massive club and I want to get a massive club back where they belong."

Listen to the full interview with Browne and more on BBC Sounds.

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison could not be more pleased with Boro's start to the season, as Rob Edwards side have maintained a 100% winning record in the Championship.

"The team have gelled, done really well, partnerships all over the pitch," Maddison told BBC Radio Tees.

Maddison, who is an academy ambassador at Middlesbrough, said expectations for the club have entirely shifted, with the outlook just a month ago looking bleak.

"It has been some turnaround because at the beginning of the season, you're looking [and there's] no signings, no manager. And then all of a sudden the manager comes in."

Former Luton Town boss Rob Edwards was appointed on 24 June having been sacked by the Hatters last season with the club struggling in the Championship after being relegated from the top flight.

Despite that, Maddison believes that Edwards' achievement of promotion with Luton - who had not played in the Premier League before - should never be diminished.

"To get them in the Premier League, from where they were, I think is an outstanding achievement," he said.

And Maddison said Edwards' managerial ability is being replicated at Middlesbrough.

"Watching a manager get a hold of this football club, not just the team, but the whole football club.

"He has persona, an aura about him that grabs you and gets hold of you and he sucks you in, but you have to do that by achieving things."

Middlesbrough went into the international break top of the Championship, with current English champions Liverpool the only side to match their 100% winning start to the season across England's top four leagues.

"I didn't expect us to be where we are right now and the start that we've had. We've had an unbelievable start - the system works, the players are fighting. You've got a team now that absolutely gives their all," Maddison said.

"The work rate and the quality, and each game they've got better and better and better, and long may it continue."

Listen to the full interview with Maddison and more Boro on Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough's David Strelec scored and provided an assist as Slovakia beat Germany 2-0 in their World Cup qualifier in Bratislava on Thursday night.

The 24-year-old joined Boro for an undisclosed fee from Slovan Bratislava on transfer deadline day, signing a five-year contract.

The forward set up David Hancko for the opening goal when the pair exchanged passes three minutes before half-time.

Strelec then struck his eighth senior international goal when he curled a shot past Oliver Baumann in the 55th minute to hand Germany only the fourth defeat in World Cup qualification in their history.

Slovakia visit Luxembourg in their second Group A game on Sunday, 7 September.

Middlesbrough have got a "very, very good pro" in the form of deadline day signing Alan Browne, says BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes.

Browne, signed on a season-long loan from the Black Cats, made 23 Championship appearances last term after a decade as a stalwart in Preston's midfield.

Middlesbrough fans can expect Browne to be versatile and fit into a number eight or number six role, Barnes told BBC Radio Tees.

"He's strong, physical because he's big, tall, robust, likes to get forward, likes to get in and around the penalty area so is attack-minded," Barnes said.

Boro fans have been treated to a high-intensity pressing game under new head coach Rob Edwards' guidance this season, something Browne is comfortable with.

"That's his sort of game, even when he was sitting back a little bit deeper he still likes to get forward [and] likes to make runs through the middle," explained Barnes.

With Premier League newcomers Sunderland spending more than £160m on incomings this summer, the question of leaving was a matter of 'where', not 'if' for Browne.

"His family are settled in the north east, he's got young children," Barnes added. "He'd have been looking for somewhere not involving much travel.

"All in all, Middlesbrough have got a very, very good pro."

Listen to the full interview and more on Middlesbrough on BBC Sounds.

Middlesbrough's new striker David Strelec has everything it will take to succeed in the Championship, according to Slovakian football expert Lukas Vrablik.

The 24-year-old joined the Championship leaders on transfer deadline day from Slovan Bratislava for an undisclosed fee, signing a five-year contract.

"There has been a lot of talk about Strelec moving to Middlesbrough since the start of the year when they wanted him in January but the clubs didn't reach an agreement," Vrablik told BBC Radio Tees.

"He's the total package - he's a technical player with some clever movement and very good in combinations on counter-attacks."

Strelec arrives on Teesside having featured in the Champions League group stages for Slovan and also played in Italy for Spezia.

"He has what it takes to succeed - last time it didn't work out when he went abroad but he's a better player now and he's now a vital player for the international team so that proves it," added Vrablik.

"The Premier League would be a step too far for him right now but the Championship is fine for him and is a great league for a player from the Slovak league to move to.

"He's a hero of the city because Slovan Bratislava have had better results over the past few years, reaching the Champions League group phase, so he is one of the poster boys of that success as he graduated from the academy."

Strelec, who is set to feature for Slovakia in their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Luxembourg, could make his Middlesbrough debut at Preston North End on 13 September (12:30 BST).