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Amid the international break, Andy Hinchcliffe has explained why league leaders Middlesbrough have enjoyed such an impressive start.
Opinion was split on Teesside this summer regarding the appointment of the former Luton Town boss, but the early-season form of Middlesbrough has proven that owner Steve Gibson got the Rob Edwards decision right.
Edwards’ new-look Boro side have enjoyed the only flawless start to the 2025/26 Championship season with four wins from four ahead of the international break.
| 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 |
Away from the Riverside, summer signing David Strelec was dubbed “world-class” after his goal and assist for Slovakia in a 2-0 World Cup qualifier win over Germany.
When league action resumes next weekend, Boro travel to Preston North End as they look to continue their outstanding start, which has been inspired by one key factor in particular.
- READ MORE: Rob Edwards shares special request for Middlesbrough fans in Riverside clash vs West Brom
Sky Sports pundit discusses Middlesbrough’s start to the season
Boro won off the pitch as well as on it before the international break, with Middlesbrough keeping hold of Hayden Hackney and getting several impressive signings over the line.
Edwards’ side are not in the prolific goalscoring form of Coventry City (14), but they certainly know where the net is whilst cementing themselves as one of the most resolute defensive units in the Championship with just one goal conceded thus far.
Boro’s start to the season has been nothing short of “brilliant” in the view of Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe, and he believes that it is down to the “culture” Edwards has created.
When discussing Boro’s “brilliant” start to the season, Hinchcliffe told the Essential EFL podcast: “It has (been brilliant). You look at last season, a 10th-place finish in that Championship, wasn’t good enough.
“Rob clearly knows his stuff. He’s done it before with Luton. I look at Middlesbrough, I look at the top four, actually, at the start of this season, all defensively very strong.
“Middlesbrough, best defensive record, only conceded a goal. So if you look at the three centre-halves that they’re playing at the moment with (Luke) Ayling, (Dael) Fry and Alfie Jones, then you’ve got Hayden (Hackney) and (Aidan) Morris, who cover so much ground.
“You’ve got the bases there, you’ve got five players there who give you a solid foundation.
“They’re always going to be good for a goal. The attacking players that they’ve brought in as well are going to make that even more so.
“Tommy Conway, you’d expect to get 15 goals this season at least. So just look at the balance of that Middlesbrough team, how hard they’re working off the ball.
“I think if you’re trying to gauge the two sides in the early stages of the season, Middlesbrough were, on every level, miles ahead of Sheffield United in terms of, were right off the ball, quality on the ball, chances created, the balance of the team, individual players were better.
“I think Hackney staying as well individually, that’s a big plus to Middlesbrough.
“But Rob has clearly created a culture there very, very quickly. The fans are on board. They like the football that they’re playing and they’re winning games and not conceding goals.”
Summer signings will boost Middlesbrough’s title aspirations
As mentioned by Hinchcliffe, Middlesbrough beat Sheffield United comfortably in the last clash before the international break, with a 64th-minute Conway strike keeping Boro’s winning run intact.
Edwards was elated with Middlesbrough’s business, and he ought to be after the key additions made between the Blades win and the deadline.
Edwards’ best Middlesbrough starting XI after the window will likely include Newcastle United loanee Matt Targett and £6.5m striker signing Strelec, who were both not over the line before the Blades meeting.
Considering the quality of performance against Sheffield United, then adding a player highly rated by Eddie Howe and a forward who got the better of Real Madrid centre-back recently, then Boro’s “brilliant” start is poised to continue at Deepdale next weekend.