How Hellberg has taken Middlesbrough to new levels in promotion race

An element of fear set in among Middlesbrough fans in early November.

Rob Edwards, the catalyst for arguably their best ever start to a Championship season, was lured south by Wolves.

A desperate search ensued to find his replacement, someone who could pick up the momentum.

And a fortnight later, Kim Hellberg arrived. He didn't just pick up the momentum, he took Boro to a new level altogether.

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From a compact, committed unit under Edwards, Hellberg's Boro are more expansive and expressive. They won their first four games he took charge of on the bounce, scoring 11 goals in that time.

A Christmas dip then saw them pick up just a point in their next four, failing to score in every one of their festive fixtures.

But the visit of Southampton in early January, where they scored four-second half goals, has triggered a run of five straight victories.

"I know Kim Helberg well enough to know he isn't the type of manager who panics," Sky Sports pundit Tommy Smith - who also works for Middlesbrough as their loans manager - says. "He really isn't. I was at the games where results didn't come, and the performances have been there throughout.

"At times Boro were unlucky not to score, but the structure was always in place and there's been no panic. Then you follow that with a 4-0 win over Southampton, which shows the level of performance. That manner of victory really set Boro up for the second part of the season."

Many thought Boro were the side who could be picked off by Ipswich in the top two, they now look capable of usurping Coventry and taking the title.

Hellberg hails unbelievable run

The boss himself has been delighted with how things have gone since he arrived, particularly considering the tweaks in style he made mid-season.

"Nine wins out of 13 is an unbelievable run," he told Sky Sports ahead of Monday night's trip to Sheffield United. We have scored a lot of goals and taken a lot of points. I am very proud of what we have achieved together and how the team plays.

"When you move abroad for the first time, you never fully know what to expect until you experience it, especially the Christmas period. Looking back, I am proud of how the way I want to play football has translated to the players and how they express themselves.

"What I am most proud of is how we have changed the playing style in the middle of the season. From the previous coach to me, almost every number you look at is very different. It is not about right or wrong, just a different way of playing.

"We were still in a good position when I arrived, but now we are doing things in a different way. We try to be an attacking, offensive team. We want to take the game into our own hands, believe in ourselves and believe in our feet rather than the opponent.

"We have gone from being midtable in possession to being the team with the most ball, from creating fewer chances to creating the most chances in open play and scoring the most goals. Possession alone does not win games, but it is connected to how we believe we can be most successful."

'He's driven to make us better as a team'

One player who exemplifies Middlesbrough's spirit this season is striker Tommy Conway.

He isn't always a prolific scorer, but his effort and endeavour up top is invaluable to Hellberg's system.

"The impact he's had on me in a short space of time has been massive, both in my football and my day-to-day life," Conway tells Sky Sports. "I feel like I've come on leaps and bounds, and I can't thank him enough.

"When he came in, he said we were doing a lot of good things and he just wanted to add a few bits. That's exactly what he's done. Even when we win two games on the bounce, he's still picking out little areas where we can improve. He's driven to make us better as a team and individually, and I can't speak highly enough of him.

"The togetherness and camaraderie in the group is unbelievable. A lot of the lads say it's the best it's ever been for them, which tells you what sort of group we've got. It's a special group, and when we go out on the pitch, we fight for one another.

"The manager has come in and implemented his style and his personality, and the lads want to play for him. For me, they're like my brothers. I want to fight and win for them, for the fans, for the staff - everyone at the club. Being mates as well makes it extra special."

'He has brought clear development'

Sky Sports' Andy Hinchcliffe:

"After Rob left there would have been no shortage of coaches eager to take on a Championship club with that squad and position.

"Boro took their time and got the right man. If you look at how Hellberg's Hammarby team played, they were front-foot and aggressive, looking to dominate the ball. That's exactly what he's brought to Middlesbrough, along with clear development from when Rob was there.

"They needed to be more aggressive going forward, and that's exactly what they've been. The change of coach has given them a boost rather than causing uncertainty, and it looks like an improvement.

"The dressing room seems very close, and Hellberg has bought into that. Getting the right coach, the right style, and the right group of players has created a perfect blend."