Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards was proud of his team following their 2-1 victory over the Blues in a game he described as “a great tear-up”.

The win against Town took the Teessiders back to the top of the Championship, nine points ahead of the Blues, who remain ninth, ahead of the Saturday matches.

“I’m delighted,” Edwards said. “I thought it was a great tear-up. It was two teams that were going right at it. It was really enjoyable game of football.

“Friday night, not many other games on, a lot of people would have been watching, so I’m really proud of the boys and the way they’ve shown the best of themselves.

“It was pleasing to see us attack like that. I know there have been a few questions about that side of things. It’s a different type of game to a couple of weeks ago [the 1-0 loss at Portsmouth].

“When a team like that [Ipswich] come, they’re coming to play and try to win the game. They’re going to come at us, and that’s going to leave some spaces.

“Likewise with us, they found those spaces at time as well because we were trying to press and at times the opposition are going to get through and find space.

“Both teams did that, so it was a different type of game to a couple of weeks ago. But we did attack well. There was some really good stuff there tonight.”

The former Luton manager had praise for keeper Sol Brynn, who saved a George Hirst penalty just prior to Cedric Kipre’s first-half injury time own goal which gave Boro the lead.

“Sol’s save was brilliant,” Edwards continued. “He was doing his job, but he did it really well. Then some of the blocks tonight were brilliant, too.

“I remember they had three or four shots from the edge of the box in quick succession in the second half and when they were blocked, I celebrated them like a goal at one point.

“I was thinking, ‘What am I doing?’ But that’s important. We won the game because of that. It was brilliant.

“The intensity the lads showed to win the ball back was great. I thought it was a really enjoyable game. They’re really good and that’s why I’m really proud of the boys because we showed up.”

Morgan Whittaker, who the Blues tried to sign during their 2022/23 League One promotion campaign, scored his first goal for Boro having joined them in January from Plymouth.

“I’m really pleased for [Whittaker]. There’s high expectations on him because he’s a really good player and he understands that,” Edwards added.

“What I like about him is he’s a human being, he’s been open and honest, we all go through difficult moments in life and he’s been working through a really challenging period in his life.

“What I’d really like to celebrate is that he’s working very hard to get through it. It’s his night, it’s big for him and hopefully we’ll build on that with him.”

Photo: TWTD

warfarinman69 added 07:28 - Oct 18 Fair. A bit too open for my liking when we're away from home!
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BrandonsBlues added 08:46 - Oct 18 Credit to Boro, played like we want our team to play. Moved the ball quickly and with purpose. Players movement and control looked easy and crisp. Boro midfield was way better than ours. Ball from back to front was fast and caught us out to many times. They knew how to beat us, and did. We looked tired laboured and some just cannot seem to play two games quickly or for more than 30/60 minutes without needing to be replaced. Again to many players seeming to have a bad game at the same time. Maybe Tuesday without Matusiwa will bring an interesting change in performance either good or bad. Jens was gone before half time. Subs were late as usual, should have been on earlier to try and make a difference. Ivan needs to play instead of Hirst, and a new striker required in January. Akpom, not sure what he brings, maybe he should play striker, and we work in someone else with Sammy. Still work in progress but still to slow in transition from back to front

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OliveR16 added 09:55 - Oct 18 They deserved to win. We have serious problems mountiing - this expensive set of players would have been blown away by the lads from two years ago,
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jas0999 added 12:35 - Oct 18 Congratulations to Edwards and his team, only the rose tinted brigade could suggest they didn’t deserve the win. We were very very poor. That said Edwards easily did a job on McKenna - bet Rob wished he had KMs whipping salary. How on earth McKenna is getting away with zero wins away and just three goals - two penalties in four games and 80 minutes is beyond me. Must do better - immediately. Hopefully he’s been told the next away game is a must win.

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yorkieblue62 added 14:19 - Oct 18 Some of the comments on here are way OTT. Most of my friends who are Boro fans say that it was an entertaining game which they just about deserved to win. Sure we are not as dominant as two years ago but then we had a settled team with just a few additions. Now the manager is having to shape an almost brand new team but I think you will see us improve by Christmas and definitely at least make the play offs

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ArnieM added 17:00 - Oct 18 McKenna tactically inept.
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