We Are Middlesbrough

Laura Kenyon
BBC Final Score reporter at Fratton Park

Image source, Getty Images

Portsmouth and Middlesbrough each had just one shot on target at Fratton Park. Safe to say neither side will be happy with that return – a stat which leaps out from the graphics page, and must surely be a thought-provoker for both managers.

The difference, though is, Pompey took that solitary moment, converted it, and came away with all three points. Boro did not, and it cost them not only their place at the top of the table, but their unbeaten start to the Championship season.

Rob Edwards spoke about it after the game, saying they were not good enough in the final third, despite making multiple attacking changes.

It poses two key questions: who will emerge as Middlesbrough's prolific goalscorer this season, and could unlocking that be pivotal in their bid for automatic promotion?

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards spoke to BBC Radio Tees after their 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth:

"It was frustrating in the end. I'm gutted for the fans that we're not able to take something away and they enjoy the journey back.

"It's been a really good start. Today was frustrating, and we have to take it on the chin and continue with the work that we're doing that is building something.

"We had more shots than them, but not enough, and not enough on target, certainly.

"Once they got the goal, which was obviously avoidable from our point of view, it gave them something to hold on to as well. We weren't quite good enough in the final third, ultimately.

"We chucked as many forwards on the pitch as we could to try and get something, but it didn't happen."

"They are definitely [contenders for top two] but we need to go into this international break with a win."

BBC Radio Tees' Mark Drury is joined by Boro fan Rob Nichols to discuss the potential of a promotion-winning season for Middlesbrough after a promising start.

Listen to the full discussion and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds.

Middlesbrough fans deserve to be recognised and thanked for their commitment to backing the team, says boss Rob Edwards.

Boro drew 1-1 at Southampton last Saturday and head back to the south coast this weekend to face Portsmouth with Edwards sending a letter to travelling supporters, external who are doing both trips.

"We've tried to talk about the supporters a lot from day one," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"We wanted to build a rapport and a connection and supporters need to feel we value them and I genuinely do."

Middlesbrough are unbeaten in the Championship and lead the table by two points heading into the game at Fratton Park.

"It's not lost on me the commitment to travel and in such great numbers and such great distances," Edwards added.

"People work really hard and to spend so much money on their football team we need to show it means a lot to us and we're very thankful."

These two are on very different trajectories heading into their game at Fratton Park.

Middlesbrough remain unbeaten and head the table by two points while Portsmouth have taken only two points from their past four games.

This will be only the third league meeting between the sides in 13 years with Pompey taking four points from last season's two games.

• Portsmouth have lost just one of their past eight league games against Middlesbrough (W2 D5), a 3-1 defeat in March 2012.

• Middlesbrough have won just two of their past 13 away league games against Portsmouth (D4 L7).

• Portsmouth have lost each of their past two league matches played on a Saturday and could lose three on the bounce on this day for the first time since February 2022.

• Middlesbrough are unbeaten in all eight of their Championship games this season (W5 D3), last having a longer run without defeat from the start of a campaign in 2011-12 (11).

• Middlesbrough have earned eight points away from home in the Championship this season (W2 D2), more than they had in their final 11 on the road in 2024-25 (W2 D1 L8).

"It was a real tough game - both teams had chances. We had chances but they had quite a few as well. In the end you'd settle for a point - it's a good point.

"If I had to give a man of the match it would be Sol Brynn. He keeps you in the game and gets you the point."

BBC Radio Tees' Paul Addison and former Boro midfielder Neil Maddison react to Boro's goalless draw with Stoke City, and hear from head coach Rob Edwards and defender Alfie Jones.

Listen to the full episode and more on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards accepted his side's point in the goalless draw with Stoke City, but was left upset at the refusal to award a first-half penalty for Tommy Conway.

The Scotland forward went down in the area under a challenge from visiting midfielder Ben Pearson.

But referee David Webb did not point to the spot and instead awarded a free-kick to Stoke and booked Conway for diving, leaving Edwards having to rein in his frustration.

"First half, I thought we were excellent," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"We played really well, really good intensity, some good football and we should have had a penalty.

"It was pretty clear to me and looking back at it as well. That was really frustrating.

"I've got to bite my lip now because I want to make sure I'm on the touchline in games going forward. He hasn't dived. There's contact there. It's a difficult one to take."

Stoke City's impressive early season form is no surprise to Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards.

Championship leaders Boro host the third-placed Potters on Tuesday with four points separating the sides.

"They've got quite an interesting blend, real pace and power on the last line and a real crossing team, especially on the left with (Sorba) Thomas and (Aaron) Cresswell," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees.

"It's no surprise at all (to see them doing well), they look really solid and have a real attacking threat as well."

Middlesbrough maintained their unbeaten start to the season on Saturday with a late equaliser from Kaly Sene in their 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Edwards expects midfielder Callum Brittain to be fit despite going off, while defender Dael Fry is back from a three-game lay off.

"Callum's foot was sore and a bit swollen but he's ok which is positive and Dael comes into contention, he's trained the last couple of days and will be in the squad," Edwards added.

Marc Webber
BBC Final Score reporter

Image source, PA Media

They say the sign of a champion is getting something out of a game where the statistics suggest you were outplayed.

It is perhaps too early to hand Middlesbrough the title, but Saturday's draw with Southampton certainly showed those sort of promotion-winning qualities, even if it ended in a draw.

When speaking on BBC Radio Tees after the game, boss Rob Edwards admitted himself it was a pleasing point against an opposition that led possession and had double the number of chances of his Boro side.

But the performance was an example of Edwards' patient approach to management overall.

When it was the right time to make changes, he did, and his tactical substitutions changed the game.

And in Kaly Sene, who scored the equaliser for his second goal in as many games off the bench, they can be confident they have strength in depth.

Question is, should Sene keep his super-sub crown, or play from the start in future games?

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards was satisfied with the draw and happy with how his team fought back to keep their unbeaten start to the Championship going.

The run now stands at seven games as they sit four points clear at the top after substitute Kaly Sene ensured a share of the points at Southampton.

It was the second away consecutive match in which Boro have come from behind to draw with crucial contributions off the bench after twice doing it at Preston North End.

And it is a trait that former Luton Town boss Edwards is enjoying about his side.

"We played well in the first half but gifted them some moments with some sloppiness," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"We grew into it and we were dominant and then they scored. We had to click into gear, another level, we made some changes and found a way back in.

"Last time we were away from home, we fought back. It's good character, impact again from the side and that's pleasing. The lads are adaptable and we found a way."