NEIL WARNOCK spent the build up to Saturday’s 3-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers heaping praise on their manager, Gareth Ainsworth, describing him as a “miracle worker.”

After coming from behind to win comfortably at Adams Park, the beaming Yorkshireman joked: “If you get on the bus and you’ve got three points here then you’ve done a good job.”

Warnock and Boro have most certainly done a good job over the festive period, winning four of their last five games – the only blip coming against Sheffield Wednesday.

He made three changes to the side that lost 2-1 at Hillsborough, and all three of Marcus Tavernier, Marcus Browne and Chuba Akpom rewarded him with a goal.

Those three were joined in the front four by Marvin Johnson and each of them was excellent, full of pace and trickery that proved too much for the Chairboys to handle.

“We had that little bit more devilment. I played Browney in the hole because I wanted to have an extra striker and I thought the changes made a difference today. I knew it was down to me,” he joked.

Tavernier’s goal, which gave Boro the lead, was a piece of true quality as he stepped in from the right, beat Joe Jacobsen and, with only a small back lift, fired a crisp strike into the far corner.

“He should have had three or four, he got in some great positions. He hit the bar, nearly broke the crossbar,” said Warnock.

Before that, Browne, on his first start of the season, had equalised Uche Ikpeazu’s early goal with a near post header from Paddy McNair’s corner.

Warnock revealed that the former Oxford United player was not in plans at the end of last season, having been far from impressed by what he’d seen of the 23 year old.

“We wanted him to go really. We were going to loan him out. He had a little bit of an attitude around the training ground, little bit arrogant at times but he came back and trained hard pre-season and did ever so well.

“I was going to put him in and then he pulled his hamstring in the last minute of training. I thought it was the ideal time today because of the way they play with that anchor midfielder. He could float around in there. I’m delighted for him.”

Browne played predominantly on the left for Oxford and Warnock was informed that was his strongest position. At Adams Park, he thrived more centrally, linking up with Akpom, Tavernier and Johnson to give Boro’s attack plenty of unpredictability.

“It was a special one for me after losing in the play-off final to this lot. The gaffer told the front four to express ourselves and win us the game and three of the four scored,” said Browne. “Going on loan was probably the most beneficial thing for me at the time. I started to enjoy football again and at the start of the season it was like a clean slate for me. I’m just putting the work in and trying my hardest to do what I can to keep playing.

“It’s been tough. It took me very long to settle in and then just when I felt I was on the verge of playing and I felt good about myself, that’s when I picked up my injury.”

Warnock may now feel that he has plenty of attacking options in his squad with Lewis Wing, Britt Assombalonga, Duncan Watmore and Patrick Roberts all on the bench at Wycombe.

He again confirmed that there will be no imminent incomings at the Riverside now that the transfer window has opened.

“Nothing before our press conference on Friday,” said the 72-year-old. “I’d still like a good wide man but I thought Marvin was outstanding.”