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Rob Edwards is proving to be an inspired appointment by Middlesbrough after the first five games of the season.
Middlesbrough have made a “brilliant” start under Rob Edwards, and Boro’s unbeaten streak continued in their return to Championship action after the international break.
Middlesbrough drew 2-2 at Preston North End on Saturday afternoon, with Edwards’ side showing their fighting spirit by coming from behind twice to wrestle a point at Deepdale.
Although Boro brought in several marquee signings this summer, with two of those in loanee Matt Targett and Dutchman Sontje Hansen scoring at the weekend, there is one summer arrival proving to be the most important, and that is Edwards.
Riverside chief Steve Gibson got Edwards’ appointment absolutely right after much debate among the fanbase, and the Boro boss has already achieved a feat far better than his predecessors combined.
Rob Edwards’ Middlesbrough start betters Chris Wilder and Michael Carrick
In Edwards’ first five Championship games in the Boro hotseat, his Middlesbrough side have accumulated four wins and one draw to scorch to the second tier summit on 13 points.
Impressive victories over Swansea City, Millwall, Norwich City and Sheffield United came before the international break and Saturday’s stalemate at Deepdale.
As pointed out by the Championship Chat Podcast on X, Middlesbrough have won more points from their first five Championship matches this season (13) than they won from their first five matches of the last three Championship campaigns combined (12).
When comparing last season’s start under Michael Carrick to this term’s with Edwards at the helm, there is a stark improvement.
After Boro’s poor start to the 2022/23 season, Carrick was appointed in October 2022 to replace Chris Wilder, who failed to oversee a win in the first five games of that Championship season.
Across Carrick’s next two full seasons in charge, Boro picked up one point from their first five in 2023/24 and eight points from their first five of 2024/25.
| Metric | Boro’s first five games in 2022/23 | Boro’s first five games in 2023/24 | Boro’s first five games in 2024/25 | Boro’s first five games in 2025/26 |
| Wins | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Draws | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Losses | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Points won | 3 | 1 | 8 | 13 |
| Manager | Chris Wilder | Michael Carrick | Michael Carrick | Rob Edwards |
Middlesbrough’s impressive start highlights the magical work Edwards has done thus far at the Riverside, and now the onus is on the Boro boss to continue that with a difficult test ahead on Friday evening.
Rob Edwards must continue Middlesbrough momentum vs West Brom
Next up for Middlesbrough is the visit of West Brom on Friday evening, who have also made a stellar start under new management.
Former Spurs coach Ryan Mason must end West Brom’s six-year wait for a win at the Riverside Stadium as the Baggies look to return to winning ways following their defeat to Derby County at the weekend.
The last time the two met, Tony Mowbray’s West Brom failure at Middlesbrough saw the Baggies enjoy vast possession on the road, but fail to capitalise.
Although it is a small sample size with two games, Middlesbrough are yet to drop points on home soil this season, with two wins from two on Teesside.
When table-topping Boro host fifth-placed West Brom on Friday, the Baggies will likely prove to be the biggest test of Middlesbrough’s mettle under Edwards thus far.
In our Championship score predictions for gameweek 6, we at EFL Analysis believe it will be a stalemate, but both Edwards and Mason would likely disagree.