The key qualities Neil Warnock has given Middlesbrough which were demonstrated in Reading win

That should just about do it.

Ever since his appointment at Middlesbrough three weeks ago, Neil Warnock has spoken about the need for leaders, battlers and players committed to the cause.

It hasn’t been a complete transformation but improvements have been made to take Boro to the brink of Championship survival. Tuesday’s 2-1 victory at Reading was evidence of that.

This was only the second time the Teessiders have come from behind to win this season, and there have been numerous occasions when heads have appeared to drop after falling behind.

Yet the Teessiders stood up and were counted at the Madejski Stadium, even after Royals defender Liam Moore opened the scoring on 33 minutes.

Yes it could have been different if John Swift’s effort had made it 2-0 rather than rebounding off the post, yet Boro dug their heels in and were good value for the win.

The Teessiders’ Championship status isn’t quite guaranteed, yet goals from Ashley Fletcher and Patrick Roberts mean Warnock’s side are now five points clear of danger with two games to go.

Throw into the mix there are four teams between Boro and the bottom three, and that 22nd-place Hull City were walloped 8-0 by Wigan, the situation looks even reassuring.

Of course no one should be getting too carried away that Boro are 17th in the table after 44 league games. This is a club which finished just a point outside the play-offs last season and has aspirations of challenging for a top-six spot again.

Yet the fear of potentially dropping down to League One after that horror show against Swansea City less than a month ago was palpable. That is why Warnock was brought in.

Since then, there have been setbacks, not least that last-minute defeat at Hull, a result which is even harder to fathom given the Tigers’ aforementioned display.

There are still flaws in this Boro squad, as shown by Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Bristol City, when the Teessiders were outplayed by a neat and slick passing outfit.

Yet Warnock has repeatedly praised the effort levels and endeavour shown by his new group of players, qualities which were demonstrated at the Madejski Stadium.

Aside from one lapse of concentration in the second half, George Saville was excellent in midfield alongside Jonny Howson, retrieving loose balls and recycling possession well.

The Northern Ireland international has started every game under Warnock and has taken his game to another level since the manager’s arrival.

Howson, too, while performing consistently all season, has been more influential since moving back into a central midfield role.

Warnock’s decision to recall Roberts and Marcus Tavernier to the starting XI while switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation was also rewarded.

The pair added pace and creativity to a well-balanced side in the final third, while centre-backs George Friend and Dael Fry kept Reading frontman George Puscas under wraps.

While it should be noted the Royals don’t have much more to play for this season, Boro’s performance was a purposeful one.

Warnock appears to have edged them over the line.