A tactical change, far more energy and defending from the front: Inside Neil Warnock's first match as Middlesbrough boss after huge Stoke City win

The 71-year-old Yorkshireman wasn’t as animated as many have seen him during his Sheffield United days but was keeping a constant eye on proceedings at the bet365 Stadium.

A relegation dogfight against Stoke City is exactly the sort of challenge Warnock relishes and is a match he will have been looking forward to following his appointment on Tuesday.

Warnock had been given eight games to keep the Teessiders in the Championship after last weekend’s alarming 3-0 defeat by Swansea City cost Jonathan Woodgate his job.

Boro were all over the place at the back in the first half against the Swans. Improvements at the back were desperately needed.

Yet anyone who thought Warnock would simply take a conservative approach or come for a point was badly mistaken.

This was an open encounter with chances at both ends and space to exploit in midfield, as goals from Ashley Fletcher and substitute Marcus Tavernier gave Warnock a dream start and 2-0 win

The difference was that Boro were far more dynamic and energised in the final third which helped relieve the pressure and give the side a foothold.

We expected changes before kick-off and Warnock made six to the starting XI which played against Swansea seven days ago.

In came Fletcher, Britt Assombalonga and Patrick Roberts into what immediately looked like a far more potent forward line.

Boro also appeared short of pace at full-back last time out, so recalls for Djed Spence and Marvin Johnson certainly helped the situation on the flanks.

When the team sheet was announced at 2pm there were suggestions Boro would stick with a back three and wing-backs just like they finished the game against Swansea.

Instead, the Teessiders lined up in what, for the most part, looked like a 4-1-3-2 formation, with Jonny Howson playing as a holding midfielder.

The 32-year-old has been Boro’s Mr Reliable this season, often dropping back into defence when the side has needed him.

He once again proved something of an unsung hero here, plugging the gaps in front of Boro’s back four.

The forward players will grab the headlines, in particular Fletcher and Roberts who combined for the Teessders’ opening goal on 29 minutes.

Roberts’ set-plays caused problems throughout the first half while Fletcher led the line excellently with his endless energy and neat touches.

At the other end, Boro goalkeeper Dejan Stojanovic played an equally key role, making an outstanding save to deny James McClean when the game was still goalless.

The Boro stopper was alert again at the start of the second half. Another McClean effort was kept out.

In the dugout, Warnock was having constant discussions with assistants Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson, keeping his cool with a measured round of applause when Boro scored.

He will have been impressed with what he saw here and has plenty to build upon ahead of Thursday’s trip to Hull City.