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Middlesbrough will be hoping to remain at the summit of the Championship table when second tier action resumes next weekend.
Middlesbrough have stormed to the top of the Championship following four wins from their first four league outings under Rob Edwards.
Many Boro supporters aired fears about the former Luton Town boss’ appointment, but his side’s early-season form has proven that owner Steve Gibson got Edwards’ appointment absolutely right.
Not only were Middlesbrough winning before the break, but they were one of the biggest transfer window winners in the Championship, with several impressive additions to Edwards’ squad poised to help continue their league-leading exploits.
After next weekend’s visit to Preston North End, a return to the Riverside comes in a fortnight with the visit of fellow promotion-hopefuls West Brom, and Edwards has one special request for the Middlesbrough fans for the Friday evening fixture.
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Rob Edwards shares special request for Middlesbrough fans
Wins against Swansea City, Millwall, Norwich City, and Sheffield United have cemented Edwards’ Boro as the only Championship side to achieve maximum points from the first four clashes ahead of the international break.
Middlesbrough fans are excited by David Strelec after Boro’s new £6.5m signing scored and assisted in a 2-0 win for Slovakia against Germany, and the striker could be in line for his home debut against the Baggies in two weeks.
Strelec is not the only Middlesbrough star to court attention on the international break after youngster Law McCabe trained with England earlier this week amid his loan stint at Plymouth Argyle.
When Championship action resumes next week, Edwards will be desperate for Boro to maintain their stellar start, and he wants to see the Riverside Stadium rocking when Ryan Mason’s Baggies travel to Teesside.
Edwards told Boro’s media: “Hi guys, thanks so much for your support over the first four league games, it’s been brilliant and it’s been great to be able to celebrate a few wins.
“We’ve had a bit of downtime, some good training over the international break. I’m really looking forward to our first league game under the lights at the Riverside.
“Let’s make it a really special occasion and get the place bouncing. See you soon.”
West Brom will be Middlesbrough’s toughest test of season so far
Although West Brom lost Tom Fellows to Southampton, the Baggies still enjoyed an eye-catching end to the summer transfer window.
Former Sunderland loan star Chris Mepham joined West Brom from Bournemouth, with Alfie Gilchrist also arriving from Chelsea, alongside loan swoops for Samuel Iling-Junior and Charlie Taylor.
Last time out, West Brom beat Stoke City 1-0 at the Bet365 Stadium to leave Mason’s side hot on the tails of Boro with a two-point gap.
Neither Boro nor the Baggies are in the free-scoring form of Coventry City or Bristol City yet this season, but both sides possess impressive defensive structure, whilst still having the quality in the final third to hurt teams.
Before their meeting, Boro travel to Deepdale and West Brom host struggling Derby County, making it likely to remain a first-versus-second affair at the Riverside on September 19.