Rob Edwards is working miracles at Middlesbrough but true test of promotion credentials awaits

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Middlesbrough keep marching on with another win this weekend, but is it too soon to start talking about promotion hopes or is Rob Edwards the real deal?

After a strong start to the season, Middlesbrough faced a real test against fellow promotion hopefuls West Brom last night. Thanks to goals from David Strelec and Kaly Sene, that test was passed with flying colours.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	6	5	1	0	11	4	7	16
2	Stoke CityStoke City	5	4	0	1	9	3	6	12
3	Bristol CityBristol City	5	3	2	0	12	4	8	11
4	LeicesterLeicester	5	3	1	1	8	5	3	10
5	West BromWest Brom	6	3	1	2	7	6	1	10
6	CoventryCoventry	5	2	3	0	15	7	8	9

Rob Edwards now has Boro top of the Championship table after six matches, with five wins and a draw. Any pre-season fears of a struggle this term have well and truly been put to bed. How long can this last, though?

It’s been a record-breaking start for Edwards at Boro, but we’ll know a lot more about his team’s promotion credentials by the time we get to the end of gameweek 10.

• READ MORE: Rob Edwards explains shock David Strelec substitution at half-time in Middlesbrough vs West Brom

Middlesbrough’s next four games are massive

So far, we’ve seen Middlesbrough beat West Brom, Sheffield United, Norwich City, Millwall, and Swansea City. They’ve also been held to a draw by Preston North End.

No doubt there are some impressive results in there, particularly away victories at The Den and at Carrow Road. However, there’s no denying that Boro’s next four games are far tougher, at least on paper.

Next up is an away trip to St. Mary’s to face Southampton. While Will Still’s team have stuttered this season, they’re still among the strongest teams in the division and a side many expect to be up there challenging for promotion.

After that, Boro take on Stoke City at the Riverside. Like Edwards, Mark Robins is working wonders at Stoke and has the Potters just behind Middlesbrough in the table right now.

Another trip to the South Coast awaits after that, and with Portsmouth’s impressive record at Fratton Park, it won’t be easy at all. Many teams have left there empty-handed, and Boro will have to grind out a result.

Then, after the next international break, Middlesbrough host Ipswich Town in what could and should be another promotion six-pointer. Like Southampton, Ipswich have struggled this season, but given the quality in their squad, they’ll surely climb the table quickly.

If Boro exit that four-game run at the top of the table, they’ll be strong favourites for promotion this season.

• READ MORE: Steve Gibson saluted for dealing with £121m Middlesbrough drop-off

The statistics behind Rob Edwards’ start at Middlesbrough

Regardless of what happens next, Rob Edwards has to be applauded for turning around Middlesbrough so quickly and effectively.

Simply put, Edwards is getting everything right at Boro. From bold team selections, to getting the best out of players like Luke Ayling, it seems he can do no wrong.

The key to this Boro resurgence has been in Edwards establishing a solid defensive unit. Middlesbrough have conceded just four goals in six games so far and are looking really tough to beat.

Meanwhile, with goals from both Strelec and Sene last night, it seems the attackers are kicking into gear now, too. Boro have an xG of 6.7 this term, but have scored 11 goals, which proves the goals are flowing despite a relative lack of clear-cut opportunities.

Recently, Matt Targett said Boro don’t know when they’re beaten. It’s that team spirit and never-say-die attitude that’ll turn any good team into a great team. Whatever Edwards is saying to the players behind the scenes, it’s clearly working.

Now, we wait and see how long the magic can last.