Rob Edwards sends encouraging message to Middlesbrough star after being given a second chance

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Middlesbrough have started the Championship season like a house on fire.

Rob Edwards had plenty of critics when he took the job at the Riverside Stadium but has so far masterminded Boro to four wins out of four and to the top of the Championship table.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	4	4	0	0	7	1	6	12
2	West BromWest Brom	4	3	1	0	6	3	3	10
3	Stoke CityStoke City	4	3	0	1	8	3	5	9
4	LeicesterLeicester	4	3	0	1	6	3	3	9
5	CoventryCoventry	4	2	2	0	14	6	8	8

Keeping Hayden Hackney at the club has been a huge help and everyone in the squad has played their part.

That also includes some faces who thought they would be out of the picture this season.

• READ MORE: Sky Sports pundit explains why Middlesbrough have made ‘brilliant’ start under Rob Edwards

Sammy Silvera goes from zero to hero at Middlesbrough

At the start of the season, the player most likely to be on the chopping block was Sammy Silvera.

He looked destined to be surplus to requirements after uninspiring loan spells with Portsmouth and Blackpool, but has played all four league games.

Silvera is now competing with Matt Targett and Alex Bangura for the starting spot, but Edwards has said he can hold it down if he continues his strong start.

He said: “He remains an option for us there because he’s done so well. I’ve mentioned plenty how important it is to me to have players who can play two or three different positions. That gives them more opportunity to play first and foremost.”

Are Middlesbrough genuine promotion candidates?

Before a ball was kicked, the overriding consensus was that Middlesbrough would be struggling to even finish above mid table.

Those odds have already been defied as Edwards’ side remain the only unbeaten team in the second tier and although it is early days, we do have to ask: ‘Can they get promoted’?

With Luton Town, Edwards took them up as the underdog to the top flight.

Yes, Middlesbrough are far grander in stature, but with plenty of competitors, they’re going to have to be on their A-game every week.