1. Return of exiled players

In the last 12 months, Middlesbrough's best two players have been full-back Joe Bennett and attacker Marvin Emnes. Tellingly, neither had much of an involvement at all under Tony Mowbray's predecessor, Gordon Strachan.

Strachan felt Bennett was too slight to be a defender, yet his energetic displays as a rampaging wing-back have formed an integral part of Boro's play this season. The youngster is now an established England Under-21 international, yet at one stage, Strachan was willing to sell him for £150,000. Mowbray immediately spotted his potential, and fast-tracked him into the side.

Emnes' exile under Strachan is even harder to fathom. Boro's last boss sent him on loan to Swansea, such was his total disregard for the Dutchman's ability, and would have sold him permanently had he not been dismissed last October. Mowbray ordered his return from the Liberty Stadium, and Emnes has scored nine goals in 15 starts this term.

2. Trimmed wage bill without losing too many star names

With promotion to the Premier League effectively ruled out when Strachan departed, one of Mowbray's biggest challenges was always going to be overseeing a reduction of the Riverside wage bill while still retaining a competitive squad.

He has achieved the balancing act superbly, sanctioning the departure of the likes of David Wheater, Gary O'Neil, Kris Boyd, Didier Digard and Andrew Taylor, but retaining sufficient talent to mount a viable promotion charge.

The wage bill has shrunk by more than 40 per cent since he was appointed, but he fought hard in the summer to keep the likes of Bennett, Rhys Williams and Matthew Bates. All three have been prominent figures during the strong start to the current campaign.

3. Renewed team spirit throughout the whole of the squad

Mowbray has avoided making too many criticisms of Strachan during his 12 months in charge, but it was telling that, last weekend, he hinted the Scotsman had favoured some players within the squad over others.

Strachan certainly seemed to prefer the players he had brought to the Riverside from Scotland, and with the likes of Taylor and Bennett effectively ostracised, cliques had inevitably developed by the time he departed.

Mowbray has set about demolishing those cliques, and the result is a much stronger sense of camaraderie and team spirit within the ranks.

Yes, there are players within the current squad who will feel aggrieved at their limited involvement. But they are no longer made to feel like outsiders with nothing to offer.

4. Adopted slick, counter-attacking style

Strachan felt that promotion from the Championship could only be achieved one way - pack your side with experienced, physical players, set yourself up to be hard to break down, and grind down the opposition through attrition and energy.

Mowbray has proved that assessment to be nonsense. Having developed a reputation for moulding attractive, passing teams during previous spells at Hibernian, West Brom and Celtic, the Saltburn-born boss has overseen a complete overhaul of Boro's playing style.

A priority has been placed on ball retention and movement, with the Teessiders becoming a much more positive attacking unit, comfortable in possession and capable of switching play from one end of the field to the other at pace. At the same time, Mowbray has also tightened up the defence, with Boro boasting easily the best defensive record in the Championship.

5. Exhibited tactical flexibility

Another criticism of the Strachan era was that his side could only play one way. There was no ‘Plan B' and little in the way of effective substitutions that could change the course of a game.

Mowbray has proved much more flexible and, as a result, Boro can adapt more easily to opposition changes or enforced alterations in their own personnel.

This season has already witnessed a number of switches from a flat back four to a defensive system boasting three centre-halves and two wing-backs. Both systems have proved effective.

Mowbray has also shuffled his midfield, often preferring three narrow central players, but occasionally fielding a side with more natural wingers.

His attacking line-up has remained relatively constant, but the acquisition of Alex Nimely and Bartholomew Ogbeche suggests he is also keen to develop alternatives in the final third.