Middlesbrough

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Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards has called for "a response" to his side's humbling Carabao Cup exit to Doncaster Rovers when they resume their Championship campaign at Millwall on Saturday.

The Boro boss branded the 4-0 loss on Tuesday "unacceptable" on the night as they were thrashed by a side playing League Two football last season.

But with a few days to reset on the training ground, Edwards believes his side are ready to build on their 1-0 opening-day league win over Swansea.

"We move forward and we build on the good work from last week," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees. "That is how we've got to see it. It is done and we want a response.

"Maybe we can reference it [as we progress through the season] but we know there were certain elements which weren't good enough.

"I want to focus on going forward and go into a really difficult game in a positive frame of mind."

Edwards' side travel to south London to take on Alex Neil's Millwall, who have won both their games so far, 2-1 at Norwich in their league opener before edging past Newport County 1-0 in the cup.

"It is going to be a tough game as they have great physicality but they have players who can play, they know where they want to play the game and they play it very well," he added.

Middlesbrough are set to loan Man City's 18-year-old Norwegian midfielder Sverre Nypan, who recently moved to the Etihad from Rosenborg for £12.5m. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

Middlesbrough will look to bounce back from a dispiriting home Carabao Cup loss to Doncaster Rovers when they visit Millwall on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Boro boss Rob Edwards called their 4-0 defeat on Tuesday "unacceptable" and will hope his side respond with something more to his liking this time around.

For Millwall, it's a different story. Head coach Alex Neil was "pleased" with his team's midweek cup win at Newport County and so he should - the Lions are yet to lose this season after also beating Norwich City in their Championship opener.

• Millwall have lost just one of their last five home league games against Middlesbrough (W3 D1), keeping four clean sheets in the process.

• Middlesbrough have won three of their last five league games against Millwall (L2), as many as in their prior 11 encounters (D5 L3).

• Following their 2-1 win at Norwich on MD1, Millwall will be looking to start a league campaign with back-to-back wins for the first time since 2014-15 in the Championship.

• Middlesbrough beat Swansea 2-1 at home on MD1, but haven't started a league campaign with consecutive wins since 1994-95 in the second tier.

• On his Millwall debut last weekend, Alfie Doughty played 18 passes into the opposition's penalty area – the most of any player on MD1 in the Championship.

"Boro have got a good chunk of money there to do some more business with, they do want to do more business and it's helpful timing, it's a move that suits everyone."

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison is joined by BBC Radio Tees commentator Mark Drury and Dom Shaw of the Northern Echo to discuss Rav van den Berg's departure to Bundesliga side Cologne and what that means for Boro.

Listen to the full episode of the 'Boro podcast and more on BBC Sounds.

"He [Rob Edwards] will want a massive reaction on Saturday, he will want a reaction with work rate, getting the system right, he will want absolutely everything in that match."

BBC Radio Tees' Paul Addison and former Boro midfielder Neil Maddison react to Middlesbrough's 4-0 home defeat by Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup first round.

Listen to the full episode of the 'Boro podcast and more on BBC Sounds.

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Middlesbrough have agreed a fee with FC Koln that would see Dutch defender Rav van den Berg, 21, leave the Riverside Stadium for Germany. (Teesside Live), external

Dutch striker Sontje Hansen is set to join Boro after the Teesside club reached a verbal agreement with NEC worth around £3.8m. (Soccer News), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

Middlesbrough welcome League One Doncaster Rovers to The Riverside in the first round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday (19:45 BST).

Boro began life under new boss Rob Edwards with a 1-0 win over Swansea on Saturday while newly-promoted Rovers came from behind at Mansfield to snatch a late winner and make it two wins from two in the third tier.

Edwards spoke to the media after training on Monday and here are some of the key points:

• Says "there's nothing wrong with enjoying" the opening day win

• They've been working on set-pieces and were pleased to score the winner from one

• Working to build a connection with the fans - "We're all in this together"

• "We're always looking to maximise the transfer window, we're hopeful we'll have more bodies coming in to help"

• "News to me" that keeper Tom Glover will leave but talks over Rav van den Berg's future are "ongoing"

• Finn Azaz and George Edmundson resumed light training on Monday

• Big history in the EFL Cup at Boro, "we want to build momentum here"

• Grant McCann has done a really good job at Doncaster but "it's about what we do, we expect a really tough game"

• "There won't be wholesale (Boro) changes but there will be a few"

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards savoured a 'proud' first competitive game in charge.

He watched his team beat Swansea City at the Riverside to get their Championship campaign off to an ideal start.

"I loved it." he said. "Really good day for us. [There was] a lot of emotion pouring out at the end because it was a really proud moment for me.

"You are head coach of Middlesbrough Football Club, my family were all there - it was a big moment for all of us and it couldn't have gone any better."

Dael Fry's goal was the difference and Edwards was thrilled by how his side performed.

"We would all love it to be 4-0 but the reality is the Championship is tough and a lot of games are going to be fine margins," said the ex-Luton boss.

"But we came out the right side of it. What I would say on that is that second half, Sol [Brynn] has not had a shot to save.

"I thought we were comfortable even when they had the ball. In and out of possession, I thought we controlled the game, so [the win is] thoroughly deserved."

"The amount of new managers coming into the league this year, I have never seen anything like it".

Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by special guests Tommy Smith and Alex Bruce to preview the 2025-26 Championship season.

They discuss a range of topics including assessing chances of sides coming down from the Premier League, who the contenders might be for the top six and take a deep dive of each of the sides promoted from League One.

Listen to the full episode of 72+ and more on BBC Sounds.

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards has admitted he is "really excited" to lead out his new side in their opening game of the Championship season when they host Swansea City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Edwards joined Boro on a three-year deal back in June, and told BBC Radio Tees that it will be a proud moment for him to take charge.

"I am really excited. If somebody had said to me years ago that I'd be the head coach of this club and leading them out, it is a pinch me moment," he said.

"We want to make it a winning week. There has been a really good blend of clear messages and a fun, relaxed environment this week.

"Of course it would be great [to start with a win], but it is the one thing that we can't guarantee. Hopefully we see a really good performance full of hard work."

This week the club announced the signing of defender Callum Brittain on a four-year deal and Edwards added: "I think he is a brilliant player, I really do. I think over the past couple of years in this league he has proven to be the most consistent right-back.

"He has got a brilliant attitude, he has got leadership qualities and has a real appetite to want to join us and play for us."

Listen to the full BBC Radio Tees interview with Edwards here via BBC Sounds.

"It has been a rather slow summer. From the Coventry game at the end of last season to now, it feels like things have been moving at a glacial pace."

Ahead of Middlesbrough's opening game of the new season at home to Swansea on Saturday (15:00 BST) Boro fan Chris Saunders joined BBC Radio Tees' Rob Law to look ahead to the new campaign.

"I felt that after the absolute trainwreck that was last season, I had to detox from it all, but I'm so pleased it is back," Saunders said.

"I have no expectations of us doing anything this season. I think it will be a season of consolidation and transition.

"That feeling could change depending on the incomings and outgoings between now and the end of the window, however, as it stands, I haven't seen a squad this ill-prepared for a season in a long time."

Listen to the BBC Radio Tees season preview in full via BBC Sounds.

Middlesbrough and Oxford United are vying for Luton Town striker Cauley Woodrow, 30, who spent time on loan at Blackburn last season. (SportsBoom, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

Rob Edwards makes his league debut as Middlesbrough head coach on Saturday (15:00 BST) as they host Swansea City.

The former Luton Town boss was appointed in June following the dismissal of Michael Carrick and will have promotion expectations on his shoulders after the club failed to break into the top six last season.

Meanwhile, the Swans will be hoping to reap revenge on the Teesside club for last year's opener, which Boro won with a penalty.

• Middlesbrough have won each of their last five home league games against Swansea City, with four of those victories coming via a one-goal margin.

• Swansea City won their last league game against Middlesbrough and will be looking to win successive matches against Boro for the first time since June 2020.

• Middlesbrough beat Swansea on MD1 of the last Championship season and will be looking to win back-to-back opening matches of a league season for the first time since 1994.

• Swansea have failed to win any of their last four opening day fixtures (D2 L2), with both defeats during that time coming on the road via one-goal margin.

• Middlesbrough's Riley McGree has struck three goals across his prior five league appearances against Swansea, his most against any side in the EFL.

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Middlesbrough defender Callum Brittain hopes he can bring "something different" to his new team.

The 27-year-old arrived this week on a four-year deal from fellow Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

"He [Rob Edwards] just loves my energy, up and down on that right hand side," Brittain told BBC Radio Tees.

"I think it's a bit different to what the rest of the lads have been playing as I am very direct on the ball, I like to cross the ball and get it in the box.

"Obviously there is the defensive side as well, trying to be as aggressive as I can, I like to be front footed, and love one-to-one defending as well."

Looking ahead to what the season has in store, Brittain added: "We have to create an atmosphere inside the changing room. We all have to pull in the same direction and work for each other.

"There is lots of quality in this dressing room and I think if we play with freedom and on the front foot, we can create a lot of chances this season."

"I don't think you can say with any conviction right now that Boro will finish in the top six this season."

BBC Radio Tees' Rob Law is joined by The Northern Echo's Dom Shaw ahead of Middlesbrough's opening Championship game against Swansea City on Saturday (15:00 BST) to talk squad depth and expectations for the new season.

Listen to the full analysis and more on BBC Sounds.