GRANT LEADBITTER has paid tribute to the backroom staff at Middlesbrough for reuniting a fractured dressing room following the fall-out from the Premier League last season.

The problems at Boro were well-documented in the top-flight, when splits emerged within the camp before and after Aitor Karanka’s departure in March.

Relegation was the result of the problems which existed, with players asking to leave and whoever was appointed as Karanka’s successor on a full-time basis was going to have a repair job on his hands.

Garry Monk has had that task. Since arriving in the summer he has moved on a number of players to raise a significant chunk of spending money and brought in ten new faces at a cost of approaching £50m.

But Monk and his recruitment team knew they also had to attract players with the right character to slot straight into a squad which was still hurting from what went on last season.

Middlesbrough have not been in full flow over the seven matches in the Championship so far, but the last two performances at Bolton and Aston Villa have highlighted their quality to deliver results.

Leadbitter, back in the thick of things in the middle of midfield after being handed his place again, thinks there is something else that has been clearly evident – particularly after securing a point and keeping a clean sheet with ten men at Villa Park.

“At Villa you could see that the real togetherness within the group that we have had over the last few years is back,” said Leadbitter.

“It might have disappeared for a time last season but you can see it’s back now. There’s no doubt about that and that’s credit to the staff for bringing in good players who have come into the group and enjoyed working hard with us all.

“We showed the spirit within the group is top drawer. If you don’t have a good spirit within the football club and you go down to ten men then you get beat five or six. Credit to the players we dug in.”

When Adama Traore’s rush of blood near the touchline deep in the Villa half inside four minutes earned him the red card for a wild lunge on Connor Hourihane, Middlesbrough’s travelling support must have feared the worst.

Debates will rage as to whether referee James Linington was correct to dish out the red card for a genuine attempt to block a long ball, although given the conditions and the location there was no doubt it was reckless and needless.

Monk and Steve Bruce disagreed on whether it was right or wrong afterwards, but the reality is the winger will now face a three-match ban provided Middlesbrough don’t lodge an appeal and it is successful.

Leadbitter said: “I think Adama was a bit unlucky and we look forward to him coming back. A lot of people forget how young Adama is. As experienced players we have to try to keep his head right, keep him on board because we have all seen what a talent he is.

“But it was good we saw what Middlesbrough were all about after that, when things get tough we get stuck in. It was a tough place to go.

"Unfortunately the game plan changed after a few minutes but credit to the team for getting a result.”

Traore’s future was the subject of much debate in the final stages of the transfer window when Lille and Lyon made approaches. Further performances like the one which delivered a 3-0 win at Bolton last weekend will see interest fuelled ahead of January.

Leadbitter was also a wanted man last month. Sunderland, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday were all keen to take him away from Teesside with a year remaining on his contract.

The Northern Echo:

Middlesbrough Manager Garry Monk gives instructions to Grant Leadbitter Picture: DAN WESTWELL

Middlesbrough stood firm and Leadbitter is more than happy to focus on leading the team back up the table in the hope of celebrating promotion for the second time in three years.

The 31-year-old said: “I enjoy being in the team, I enjoy playing football. The window was a nightmare, it always is for footballers. That’s part of football though.

“It’s nice to be playing again, that’s what you dream about. I had a long injury last season which was horrible.

"I maybe came back too early. Now I am fit and pain free. I will concentrate on playing football, nothing else.

"We have always had good footballers at this club and it has always been a challenge to get in the side, as a player you enjoy that.”