Middlesbrough FC feeling the benefit of patience as Michael Carrick's platform shows promise

That was evident in Wednesday's 3-0 win at Leeds United, where the Teessiders made seven changes but the joins did not show, with those coming into the side fully understanding the jobs they were expected to do.

That has a lot to do with the fact that Carrick is the third longest-serving manager in the Championship after Coventry City's Mark Robins and Derby County's Paul Warne, who has spent all but one game of his tenure so far in League One. This despite Carrick only having had one full season at the Riverside to date.

After a big squad overhaul in his first summer, this one has been more subdued in terms of incomings and outgoings, Boro recognising the value of not trying to do too much after a strong finish to last season almost saw them gatecrash the play-offs.

"I think we've built towards this stage over a period of time," reflected the former England midfielder. "When I came in in the October (of 2022) and finished the season with that group there was a a big change last summer and we were patient with that, we understood it was going to take a little bit of time for everyone to settle in.

"Now we feel we're in a good place, still trying to improve if we can.

"I've said it for the last couple of weeks, if we've got this squad (when the transfer window shuts in August 30), I'm happy to go through the season with this squad because it's a good squad but we'll see if we can improve it as the window goes."

Almost all teams drastically change their sides for the first round of the League Cup, but Boro's changes felt more seamless than most as they set up a second-round tie at home to Stoke City.

"We've got a way of training and passing the information across to try and help educate the boys," he said.

"Sometimes boys settle in and sometimes they hit the ground running, sometimes you've got to be a little bit patient with them and understand they need a bit of time.

"It was another pleasing thing on Wednesday, whoever played we looked ourselves and looked like we can be a good team."