Boro kicked off their summer campaign with a behind closed doors training game on Saturday against CD Santa Clara, which they lost 1-0. Edwards took plenty of positives from the game and the Portugal training trip, and is now relishing the opportunity to step up the preparations for the coming Championship campaign.
Boro head to Mansfield on Saturday, a first opportunity for the fans to see Edwards’ side in action. And although it’s only a second friendly of the summer and the proper stuff is still three weeks away, Boro’s head coach believes it’s crucial his side put on a positive showing this weekend.
“It will be great,” he said of the chance to play in front of the fans for the first time.
“That’s what it’s about isn’t it. Football is for the fans.
“We want to try and put in a good performance and make a good first impression. It’s important that.
“I’ve said before, it’s alright talking a good game but we need to deliver. Let’s try and build that momentum early doors.
“Everyone understands there’s lots going on in pre-season and there will be changes and games might lack a bit of rhythm, but hopefully they can see some of those shoots coming through and the things we’re talking about a lot.”
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Edwards was encouraged by last week’s hugely “valuable” training trip to Portugal, but the new head coach wants “more”.
The 42-year-old has been thrilled with the way the players have bought into what has been asked of them from the new-look coaching team.
And it was clear to the head coach watching Saturday’s game that one key message had got through.
Again and again, Edwards has stressed to his players that he wants them to be brave on the ball and doesn’t mind them making mistakes, as long as they react to them. And that, he felt, was on display in the Portugal sunshine, which Edwards believes bodes well for the campaign again.
“As soon as we lost it, we reacted well,” he said in a club interview, reflecting on the Santa Clara loss.
“The lads were really competing, and we had to because they were physical, strong. But we stood up to that challenge and more.”
The first friendly was a chance for Edwards to see his players in a game environment, but the most important element of last week’s trip for the boss was the opportunity for the squad and coaching team to spend quality time together.
“It’s important,” he said.
“It’s good for us to get to know them more and for them to get an understanding of what we want, how we’re going to be and how we’re going to go about our work.
“And we’re a new group of staff, so it’s been a really valuable week. I really enjoyed it.
“We’ve seen a lot of good stuff. But I want more now. Better. We want to build a winning environment and culture and I think the way we want to go about it is the right way.
“I feel like the lads have really bought in. I really do. So it’s just about more, better, drive the standards even higher.”
