Tommy Conway on Middlesbrough dressing room admission

And Conway was at the heart of summer conversations in which the players acknowledged they needed to take "real accountability", admitting "leading the dressing room" was an area where Boro came up short last season.

Boro certainly aren't short of leaders. Dael Fry has worn the captain's armband this season and the likes of Luke Ayling, Aidan Morris have all skippered the side previously. Alfie Jones captained Hull City, Darragh Lenihan Blackburn, and Conway is one of several other big characters in the dressing room.

“We all took real accountability as players in the summer to lead the dressing room and stuff off the pitch this year because we probably didn’t do that well enough last year," admits Conway.

"We all accepted that, myself included. Everyone is really close and when it’s like that, you’re willing to run that extra yard for one another. We’ve taken that upon ourselves, but I think Rob is driving that too, because he’s that sort of person.

"As players though, we’re all nice guys and all get on and enjoy spending time with each other.

"I spoke to Bill [Ayling] about it and he was talking about when he won promotion at Leeds and camaraderie they had there off the pitch was as good as it was on the pitch. So we know we’ve got to drive that ourselves off the pitch, to give us the best possible chance on it."

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The summer conversations appear to have benefited the side on the pitch. There's been a pleasing maturity to the way table-topping Boro have managed games in the early stages of the season.

And the players also deserve immense credit for the way they've so quickly adapted to the demands and preferences of boss Rob Edwards - though it no doubt helped that the message from the head coach has been so clear since his appointment.

Conway said: "Since day one, Rob has been clear he wants a pressing team with high energy at the top end of the pitch. He wants to win the ball back high up the pitch because that’s ultimately where we score our goals.

"It was a bit of a change because there were elements of play under the last gaffer where I would attempt to come out to the left hand side a bit more. This is new and different where it’s about being more in and around the box for me.

"I maybe won’t get as many touches, but I know I need to be in there where it matters, to score goals. That’s ultimately what I’m here to do, and I do enjoy doing that!”

“Ever since I was a young boy, it’s what I’ve known really. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed myself playing in the last style. Everyone is different and you’ve just got to try and adapt as best you can, but physically I feel really good."

And the evidence is there on the pitch. Conway scored his first goal of the season at Norwich and then swiftly added his second with a fine matchwinner against Sheffield United before the break.

Boro's players have embraced Edwards' approach, and are enjoying it.

Conway said: “I feel like if you’re willing to learn and you’re that sort of human being, you’ll listen and take on board what other people say.

"As a footballer, you won’t get to this level without being coachable and without being able to listen. Everyone in there knows the job they have to do under the new manager.

"It doesn’t matter who you play under, the fundamental message is always the same: You have to work hard.

"Tactically it's obviously different and you’ve got to be able to take on board what they want and then go and implement that on the pitch.

"Everyone in the changing room has taken the ideas on board and are rising up to the challenge, and I think you can see that clicking. Under Michael Carrick we played one way, and under the gaffer now we’re playing a different way. Everyone is enjoying it.”