The surprising, encouraging and concerning aspects of Middlesbrough's win over Shrewsbury as Neil Warnock's side turn attentions to Watford: Joe Nicholson's verdict

That 3-3 draw at Luton just over a year ago should probably act as a reminder that assumptions shouldn’t be made too early in the season, while Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock will obviously want to tighten things up at the back ahead of next week’s Championship opener at Watford.

Yet the Boro boss wanted his side to ‘have a go’ against League One club Shrewsbury Town in the Carabao Cup first round - a 4-3 victory suggests they did.

The most pleasing, and perhaps surprising, aspect for the club’s supporters was the way Boro took their chances at the Riverside.

It sounds simple but this is a club which finished rock-bottom of the Championship goal-scoring chart last campaign, and fifth lowest under Tony Pulis the season before.

Scoring four times from eight shots on target shows there was more of a cutting edge here, even if Shrewsbury goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne was visibly at fault for two of the goals.

Burgoyne was beaten twice by Ashley Fletcher who rounded off a neat Boro move to put the Teessiders 2-1 ahead before half-time, prodding home Marvin Johnson’s low cross with a first-time finish.

Fletcher was Boro’s top scorer with 13 goals in all competitions last season and has emerged as a key player over the last 12 months.

The striker is still only 24 but is one of the more experienced players in a young dressing room.

Fletcher has come through challenging spells, particularly his difficult loan stint at Sunderland, yet now it looks like he’s coming to the fore.

Johnson is another player who has raised his game significantly over the last year, while recent performances have earned him a new contract at the Riverside.

The 29-year-old was a constant threat in the left wing-back role against Shrewsbury, registering a goal (the keeper should have done much better) and an assist before half-time.

Marcus Tavernier also grew into the game, scoring Boro’s fourth while operating in an advanced midfield role in a 3-4-1-2 formation.

But despite the goals, there were some causes for concern.

Grant Hall looks set to be a constant in Boro’s defence this season but still looked rusty on his competitive debut.

To be fair to Hall he hasn’t played an official match since March, before his contract at QPR expired.

The 28-year-old showed his leadership and physical attributes by winning a couple of headers, yet Shrewsbury striker Rekeil Pyke, who scored the visitors’ third goal, consistently caused problems.

Dael Fry also looked vulnerable on the left of Boro’s back three as Shrewsbury’s wide men Jason Cummings and Shaun Whalley switched flanks and looked to cut inside.

Yet it’s also worth remembering that Fry missed last week’s trip to Cornwall and is also getting back up to speed after a truncated pre-season.

Too early to make too many assumptions then, yet Boro are off to a winning start.

The result also marked the Teessiders’ first home win since Boxing Day, a relief for Warnock and his players ahead of the new Championship campaign.

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