The Championship table since Kim Hellberg replaced Rob Edwards at Middlesbrough | OneFootball

Since Middlesbrough appointed Kim Hellberg as their new boss, no team in the Championship has picked up more points than them.

When Rob Edwards made the controversial decision to leave Middlesbrough for Wolves in November, it left many fearing how the season would play out for the Teesside outfit.

The ex-Luton chief had only arrived at the Riverside Stadium in the summer, overseeing major changes to the squad as he put his own mark on the group ahead of what they hoped would be a push for promotion.

Pleasingly for Boro, the early signs were positive, as Edwards had the team sitting third in the table after the midweek round of games where his team salvaged a late draw at Leicester City.

Kim Hellberg has taken Middlesbrough to another level since he replaced Rob Edwards

Therefore, all connected to the club were gutted, and shocked, that Edwards left for Wolves, who were facing an inevitable relegation from the Premier League.

Even though they were a club close to his heart, the manner of the exit understandably annoyed Boro, and it threatened to derail the positive steps they had made under Edwards’ guidance.

Bringing in a manager mid-season is never easy, but, after a lengthy process, Boro announced the appointment of Kim Hellberg, with the Swede having left Hammarby, where he had developed a reputation as an exciting young coach.

Nevertheless, it was clearly a bold call, but Middlesbrough will be delighted at how the 37-year-old has handled his first job in English football.

Incredibly, looking at the table since his first game against Derby at home, Middlesbrough sit top of the league, having collected 25 points from 12 games.

Admittedly, Hull have the same return, having played a game less, but it highlights the outstanding work that Hellberg has done in a short space of time.

By comparison, they have collected two more points than Ipswich in the period, and seven more than leaders Coventry.

Kim Hellberg can take Middlesbrough to the Premier League

It’s even more impressive when you see that Hellberg has got results by playing a different style to Edwards, with the latter having preferred a back three formation.

Under the current boss, Boro are a free-flowing side, and the 24 goals they have scored under Hellberg is another number that no Championship side can match since his arrival.

In the bigger picture, Middlesbrough boast a five-point lead over third-placed Ipswich in the battle for automatic promotion, although the Tractor Boys have played a game less. Looking up, they trail Coventry by just three points following their recent blip.

So, they are firmly in the hunt to reach the Premier League, and you can be sure that Hellberg is telling the players that they can win the league.

That is quite the achievement when you consider the uncertainty that engulfed Boro after Edwards went to Molineux, but all connected to the club have embraced Hellberg and what he is about.

Whilst it’s a relatively small sample size, Boro have proven they are as good as any team at this level under Hellberg, and that will give them the belief they can win promotion to the Premier League - swapping places with Wolves and Edwards in the process.