This Week's Opposition: Middlesbrough

Pompey Live pundit Kirsty Roxanne takes a closer look at the league leaders ahead of Saturday's Championship clash at Fratton Park.

The points were shared on Wednesday night against the Hornets following a 2-2 draw under the floodlights.

For the second time this week, John Mousinho’s side are at Fratton Park and this time it’s Middlesbrough the visitors, as they make their longest away journey of the season to PO4.

MANAGER

Welsh international Rob Edwards is at the helm of Boro.

Following an extensive playing career, featuring in both the Premier League and Championship, Edwards retired at Barnsley due to injury in 2013. Edwards completed his coaching badges and moved into management, first managing the Wolves academy before then enjoying an interim spell for the first team.

He also led AFC Telford United, the England Under-16s and guided Forest Green Rovers to promotion as League 2 Champions in the 2021/22 season. Edwards had a 4 month spell at Watford before joining arch rivals Luton.

Whilst at Luton, he led the club to promotion to the Premier League via the Play-Offs, winning 6-5 on penalties against Coventry in the Final. The Hatters were relegated at the end of their first season and then this January, after 7 just wins in 26 games, Edwards left by mutual agreement. At the time of his departure, The Hatters sat in 20th, only 2 points above relegation. They went on to get relegated after Edwards left.

In June, Edwards was appointed as head coach of Middlesbrough on a 3-year-contract - He has a 63% win rate so far this season.

ONE TO WATCH

Midfielder Hayden Hackney is one to look out for this weekend.

Hackney first joined Middlesbrough as an academy player after being spotted playing for his local side Redcar Town. He was part of the team that reached the under-18 Premier League Cup final in 2019. On the 26th June 2019, on his 17th birthday, Hackney signed his first professional contract with Boro. Making his senior league debut in the final match of the 2021/22 season.

Hackney joined League Two side Scunthorpe United on loan until January 2022. He made 31 appearances for the side as Scunthrope were relegated to the National League at the end of that season.

When Michael Carrick was appointed as manager, Hackney became a regular starter for Boro. Winning the Middlesbrough Young Player of the Year Award for the 2022/23 season, having made 38 appearances and scoring 3 goals.

So far this season the England Youth International has netted once and got 2 assists.

TOP SCORER

Middlesbrough have 2 leading goalscorers both on 2 league goals.

First up is Kaly Sene, who started his professional career with Swiss club FC Basel. He had loan spells at Omonia and Grasshoppers before making the move to Swiss top tier club Lausanne-Sport.

Sene made the move to the English league when he signed for Middlesbrough on a four-year contract. Both goals he has scored this season have been from appearances made off the bench.

Bristol City youth product Tommy Conway is the other - He had loan spells with Yate Town and Bath City before breaking into The Robins' first-team at the start of the 2022/23 season. The 23-year-old was rewarded with EFL Young Player of the Month for August. Conway ended the season with 12 goals in all competitions. 

The number 9 joined Boro August 2024, he has made a total of 40 appearances and scored 15 goals.

CURRENT FORM

Boro are currently sitting top of the Championship table after 8 games played. With 18 points on the board they have a 2 point gap between them and Coventry in 2nd.

Alongside 2nd place Coventry, Boro has not lost a game this season with 5 wins and 3 draws. Their recent fixture on Tuesday night at the Riverside Stadium ended in a 0-0 draw to Stoke.

Last season the Blues accumulated 4 out of a possible 6 points from the 2 fixtures with a draw away from home and a 2-1 victory at Fratton with both goals coming from Matt Ritchie.

Can the Blues end Boro’s unbeaten streak at PO4?

Find out by tuning in to Pompey Live this Saturday (October 4th) afternoon from 2pm - Jake Smith will be joined by Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson to cover the match LIVE from Fratton Park, with kick-by-kick commentary to come too from Andy Moon and Guy Whittingham.

Kick-off: 3pm!