The interesting manager comments which show Middlesbrough's transformation under Neil Warnock after QPR draw: Joe Nicholson's verdict

In the aftermath of Middlesbrough’s 1-1 draw at QPR on Saturday, Rangers boss Mark Warburton made an interesting observation.

"They are a tough team and have good quality and physicality in their squad,” said Warburton when assessing the match. “You have to stand up against them in the box.”

The comments echoed those of Bournemouth boss Jason Tindall last weekend when he described Boro as 'very, very direct' following a 1-1 draw at the Riverside.

These may be traits which people traditionally associate with Neil Warnock’s sides, even if the Yorkshireman also likes players to express themselves in the final third.

Yet there were times last season when Boro didn’t look like an imposing outfit and didn’t get under the opposition’s skin like they have done in previous weeks.

Last season Warnock said there were tackles missed which made him cringe after taking charge of Boro’s final eight game.

A few months later, the Teessiders are being described as a side who will make things tough and, perhaps, who opponents don’t really want to face.

Of course the side isn’t the finished article - the fact Boro have taken two points out of nine in their opening three games is evidence of that.

The Teessiders still appear to lack some creativity in midfield and need to be more clinical in the final third.

Against QPR, they also struggled on the flanks, after new signing Chuba Akpom had opened the scoring from a corner on 19 minutes.

Lively Rangers playmakers Bright Osayi-Samuel, who netted the equaliser, and Ilias Chair caused problems on the counter attack, while Boro wing-backs Djed Spence and Marvin Johnson struggled to supply accurate crosses for their team-mates.

Yet Warnock and his staff are still laying the foundations and Boro are at least giving themselves chances to pick up points.

Warnock was once again absent from the dugout after testing positive for COVID-19 but should return for next week’s meeting with Barnsley.

His assistant Kevin Blackwell took charge of proceedings in the capital and said the consistency of Boro’s first three league games was a pleasing aspect.

“I think if we look at the pre-season games we were consistently doing well,” said Blackwell.

“There is no doubt we could have got something at Watford and could have got something against Bournemouth last week.”

One of the reasons behind that consistency is Boro’s use of the 3-5-2 system which provides extra security at the back.

Against QPR, the visitors were left a little exposed on the flanks at times yet they often had players back to cover when they were caught out on the counter attack.

But as Blackwell also pointed out, it’s important to have a plan B, which Boro deployed when they switched to a back four in the second half, when substitute Sam Morsy came on and quickened the pace in midfield.

The other big positive was Akpom’s debut, and the striker showed some neat touches and plenty of graft while netting his first goal for the club.

Dael Fry also deserves a mention after replacing the injured Grant Hall in the second half and making a crucial goal-line clearance.

That is the type of attitude and commitment which should earn Boro valuable points.

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