The most impressive aspects of Middlesbrough's win over Nottingham Forest as Neil Warnock's side climb to fifth

At the start of this season, it would have been hard to imagine what Middlesbrough’s back four would look like after nine Championship games.

Paddy McNair, the most experienced of the quartet, was often played in midfield last campaign, while 18-year-old Nathan Wood hadn’t even started a league game for the Teessiders and probably expected to leave on loan.

Right-back Anfernee Dijksteel showed improvements at the end of last season but has taken his game to another level since then, while left-back Marc Bola has made huge strides after looking out of his depth a year ago.

On Saturday, Boro’s inexperienced backline came up against a Nottingham Forest attack which many Championship teams would covet.

Anthony Knockaert, Sammy Ameobi and Luke Freeman have all impressed at this level, while Joe Lolley and Lyle Taylor came off the bench.

Yet Boro reduced the visitors to just one shot on target during a 1-0 win at the Riverside, courtesy of substitute Marvin Johnson’s 81st-minute finish.

This wasn’t a smash-and-grab result either. Neil Warnock’s side deserved all three points as they extended their unbeaten run to eight league games.

Warnock’s man management skills have been nothing short of exceptional as he continues to keep players focussed and relaxed.

When asked about Wood, who was excellent at the back, Warnock joked: “I said to him before the game, ‘were you nervous last night’ and he said ‘no.’ I said ‘well I was thinking about playing you tomorrow son’

The Boro boss added: “We gave him a round of applause in the dressing room afterwards. It was his first full game, and he deserved it. He did really well.”

Despite the absence of Dael Fry, who has also improved significantly under Warnock, due to a stomach bug, this was Boro’s fourth clean sheet in five games.

Whether they play with a back four or a back three, it’s hard to see how opponents can score against this well-drilled side.

Warnock is trying not to get carried away, yet the reaction from Boro’s bench when Johnson converted the winner showed the growing belief among the group.

First-team assistant Ronnie Jepson was the most animated member of Boro’s coaching staff, clenching his fists and shouting for joy when the goal went in.

It’s clear to see Boro are a real force this season, yet their squad remains extremely thin.

“I think if you told us we wouldn’t have any injuries until the end of the season, I’d put a few bob on us,” said Warnock before the meeting with Forest.

That is because, despite a lack of cutting edge up front, Boro have been well balanced, robust and difficult to beat in the opening nine Championship games.

Experienced midfielder Jonny Howson has been instrumental during that run and was excellent against Forest, regularly winning the ball back and distributing it to the flanks.

On the left, even Hayden Coulson, one of the few players whose progress appeared to stall under Warnock, looked back to something near his best, linking up well with Bola out wide.

Back in the summer, Warnock told his players what he thought they were capable of. Now they are starting to show it.

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