Middlesbrough

Southampton host league leaders Middlesbrough on Saturday (15:00 BST) as they look to get their season back on track after a disappointing run of results.

The Saints won their opening league game against Wrexham but have failed to register a victory since, losing last time out against Hull City to see them just one point above the bottom three.

But it'll be tough to take their second set of three points against Boro though given the side's stellar form, with the Teesside club yet to suffer a league defeat this season and guaranteed more time in the top spot regardless of how the weekend unfolds.

• Southampton have won four of their last seven league games against Middlesbrough (D1 L2), though failed to beat them either time when they last met in 2023-24 (D1 L1).

• Six of Middlesbrough's last 10 away league games against Southampton have been drawn (W2 L2), with their last victory at St Mary's coming in the Premier League in September 2003.

• Southampton have won just one of their last 20 league games (D6 L13), beating Wrexham 2-1 on the opening weekend this season.

• Middlesbrough's 16 points this season is their best return after six games in any league campaign. They last went unbeaten in their first seven to a season back in 2011-12.

• No player has created more chances in the Championship so far this season than Southampton's Ryan Manning (14).

A potential move to take the Championship play-offs down to eighth place would damage the competition's credibility, according to former Huddersfield, Stoke and Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith.

The EFL board is set to discuss proposals to increase the number of teams in the end-of-season play-offs from four to six but Smith, who was promoted to the Premier League with Huddersfield via the play-offs in 2017 is not a fan of the idea.

"It's not for me - I think it suits teams who don't really have a chance to get in the top six," he told the BBC's EFL podcast 72+.

"From a credibility point of view the top six is there to be aimed at and you have to earn your place in it."

The play-offs were first introduced for the 1986-87 season where sides finishing third down to fifth were involved along with the team third-from-bottom in the top flight.

After two seasons the format was changed to be played out between teams finishing third to sixth in the second tier.

"To finish eighth in the Championship and potentially get promoted to the Premier League it just doesn't sit right with me," added Smith.

"Notoriously over the past years getting into the top six is tough and when you get in there after a long hard season it feels brilliant, so to make it a top eight it dilutes it."

Middlesbrough forward Kaly Sene says it was boss Rob Edwards who convinced him to sign for the club in August.

Though the 24-year-old admits he "doesn't like to watch football," he says that he did know about Boro's reputation before signing the paperwork and it was a conversation with Edwards that helped seal his move from Lausanne-Sport.

"I know they were in the Premier League before so it was a big club and is a big club in this moment, so when the coach called me, we had a good conversation. It is because of this I signed here," Sene told BBC Radio Tees.

"I was very happy when he called me and we talked together.

"For me, it's very important to have a coach who believes in you and tries to put you in the best way, helps you to be better. He's doing this not just with me but with all the team."

The Senegalese striker joined Boro having already scored six goals in Switzerland this season and has netted his first for Middlesbrough during their 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Friday.

"The win is most important and then the goal, so if we score and then we win, I will be more happy," he added.

"So for me, it was a very good night and yes, I'm proud to score this first goal at home."

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

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards praised his side's resilience as a cornerstone of their victory over West Bromwich Albion.

First Boro goals for forwards David Strelec and Kaly Sene won the game in a match in which West Brom had more possession and more shots.

The three points secured a four-point lead at the top of the Championship as Boro made it 16 points from a possible 18 - the Teesside club's best ever start to a league season.

"It was a really good night for us in the end," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees.

"It was a very tough game as you knew it was going to be. They're a very good team, Ryan's doing a very good job and they have good players, but we showed a lot of resilience tonight and that really pleased me.

"We had to show another side to ourselves. We've got lads still getting up to speed with English football and what we're doing and hopefully we're going to continue to improve as it goes on.

"We've not found our level yet and that is the exciting thing."

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards says there is a "good vibe around the place" following their 2-2 draw at Preston, as his side prepare for Friday's visit of West Bromwich Albion.

Boro currently sit top of the Championship table after going unbeaten in the opening stage of the season, winning four out of five games.

Middlesbrough's visit to Deepdale saw Edwards' men drop points for the first time this season, but it hasn't dampened the "good spirits" around the club.

"There has been a really good vibe around the place," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees. "The lads are in good spirits and long may that continue.

"I have no complaints whatsoever; it has been business as usual and our focus is on what is a really big game, a difficult game tomorrow.

"We value everyone so if someone hasn't played the minutes, I'm not someone that speaks to the 11 that are playing, it is not how things work.

"We value all the lads and we will give them all our time, as much as possible. We will always say hello and shake their hand - the door is always open, they know that."

West Brom's last two wins both came away from home - 3-2 at Wrexham and 1-0 at second-placed Stoke.

Middlesbrough will be missing Riley McGree, who is still out with a hamstring injury, and Dael Fry, who won't recover in time from a calf issue.

"It will be a really difficult game," Edwards added.

"Ryan Mason has done a really good job quickly and West Brom are always strong in this league from my experience of many years of being in and around this sort of level, as a player or managing. West Brom are always strong.

"They have started well with some really good individuals, a very well organised team. You can see a real clear way of how they play, which you would expect.

"I think it will be an exciting game as well. It will be two good teams that are playing with confidence so we are really looking forward to it."

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

The Championship weekend kicks-off on Friday night with arguably the game of the weekend.

Early pace-setters Middlesbrough welcome fifth-placed West Brom to the Riverside (20:00 BST), with the Baggies having seen their unbeaten start under Ryan Mason ended by Derby at The Hawthorns last time out.

Boro's perfect start under Rob Edwards was halted by a 2-2 draw at Preston last weekend meaning both sides will be keen to get back to winning ways on Teesside.

• Middlesbrough have won each of their past three league meetings with West Bromwich Albion without conceding, last winning four in a row versus the Baggies between 1994 and 1997.

• West Bromwich Albion have only won on one of their past seven league trips to Middlesbrough (D2 L4), winning 1-0 under Slaven Bilic in October 2019 through a Hal Robson-Kanu goal.

• Middlesbrough have picked up 13 points in five Championship games so far this season (W4 D1) – only two of the past 10 teams with 13+ points at this stage have then been promoted: Leeds United in 2019-20 and Fulham in 2021-22.

• West Bromwich Albion have won their past two away Championship matches, more than they won in their previous 20 on the road (W1 D11 L8). The last time the Baggies won three away in a row was their first three away games of 2024-25.

• Middlesbrough's Matt Targett has been involved in a goal in each of his two Championship games so far for the club (1 goal, 1 assist). Targett has ended on the winning side in 69.6% of his Championship appearances (16/23), the 10th best ratio of any player to make 20+ appearances since 2004-05.

"Middlesbrough showed the character to twice come from behind, especially the second time when Preston scored in the 88th minute and you think it's done and dusted."

"The manner of the draw, coming back and getting a draw with a last-minute goal in front of 5,600 away fans, you come away thinking that momentum is still building and the belief is there."

The Northern Echo's Dom Shaw joins Rob Law to look back at Middlesbrough's positive start to the season as they sit top of the Championship. And what does the late-goal drama at Deepdale mean for Boro's unbeaten season going forward?

Listen to the full episode with Dom Shaw and Rob Law and more on BBC Sounds

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.

Preston North End and Middlesbrough will face off on Saturday (12:30 BST) having each made impressive starts this season.

Preston have seven points from four games, getting notable wins against promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town and Leicester City.

Middlesbrough are currently the only side in the top four tiers of English football to have won their opening four games.

• Preston North End are unbeaten in each of their last three league matches against Middlesbrough (W2 D1) and have won six of their previous 10 league games against them (D1 L3).

• Middlesbrough have lost each of their last five away league games against Preston North End; they last lost six successive away league games to a side in May 2017, against Chelsea.

• Preston have won both of their home league games so far this season; they last won three in a row in the league at Deepdale in February 2024, with the third win in that run coming against Middlesbrough.

• Middlesbrough remain the only side in the Championship with a 100% record, winning all four of their games so far and conceding only once. They've never won their opening five league games of a Football League campaign before.

• Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway has scored in his last two league games, with both strikes ultimately acting as the winning goal. He last scored in three consecutive matches in August 2022 with Bristol City.

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.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards, Coventry City's Frank Lampard, West Bromwich Albion's Ryan Mason and Stoke City's Mark Robins have been nominated for the Championship's manager of the month award for August.

Edwards will be a strong contender as Boro occupy top spot after an unblemished winning start to the season, while Mason has enjoyed an unbeaten start in his first permanent managerial role with his Baggies side in second.

Lampard is also recognised as Coventry are yet to lose, while influential Sky Blues midfielder Victor Torp has earned a nomination for player of the month for his four goals in four matches.

Stoke City have another nominee in new signing Sorba Thomas, who has two goals and three assists across his four games, with the Potters who lie third under Robins.

Meanwhile, Norwich City striker Josh Sargent and Bristol City full-back Ross McCrorie round out the player of the month nominations after strong starts to their respective seasons.

Sargent has found the target five times in four games, while McCrorie delivered three assists and scored one goal in August.

The winners will be announced on Friday.

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.