Tommy Conway, George Edmundson and Middlesbrough's other big winners in October

Middlesbrough had a mixed October as they managed two victories, two defeats and a draw as their frustrating habit of dropping points they shouldn't continued.

In their final game of the month at Norwich City, they squandered a two-goal lead to only draw and missed an opportunity to climb into the Championship top-six as a result. Despite that, performances remained at a high level and they recorded victories over promotion contenders West Brom and Sheffield United.

In the midst of the five games, there were certain Boro players who emerge from the month as real winners for various reasons. We take a look at Boro's five biggest winners of October.

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Tommy Conway

Returning from injury halfway through the month, Conway worked his way back to fitness with a short cameo against his former side, Bristol City. Although that day didn't end as he may have hoped, the result of it was two consecutive starts.

Not only did he get back into the starting line-up, but for the first time since his summer switch, he was used by Michael Carrick as centre-forward, replacing the out-of-form Emmanuel Latte Lath in the team. And even when the Ivorian came off the bench against Sheffield United to finally score his first goal from open play, it was still Conway who got the nod at Norwich. Carrick's decision paid off as Conway ended the month with two goals and his place in the team his to lose heading into November.

George Edmundson

Having joined the club on loan on transfer deadline day, Edmundson quickly established himself in the Boro side, impressing with both his defensive displays and also his ball-playing ability that is making him look so well-suited to Carrick's side.

What's particularly positive about Edmundson's month is that, as players returned from injury - Rav van den Berg against West Brom and Matt Clarke on the bench at Watford - the 27-year-old has kept his place in the team. Clarke will be itching to be back in the team, but as things stand, it's hard to justify taking Edmundson out. We're close to adding Dael Fry to a very interesting mix as well.

Riley McGree

Riley McGree's importance to Boro shouldn't really be news to anybody who watches regularly, but October certainly helped enforce the fact. As he continues his comeback from injury, the Australian started three of Boro's five games in October. It's no coincidence that the three he started are the three Boro didn't lose. When McGree is playing, Boro tend to play better collectively.

Neto Borges

Though he's taken a little time to fully establish himself in the Boro side, the Brazilian is showing real signs of late that he has found comfort in his surroundings. Starting to really come into his own, he passed his biggest test to date in the Sheffield United win as he worked hard to keep Jesurun Rak-Sakyi quiet despite Chris Wilder's admission that they targeted him.

He then followed that up with his first assist for the club at Norwich. It bodes well for him and Boro as he starts to really settle into the side in what is such an important position. If he can continue in this manner then he can go on to finally end Boro's troubles with the role since Ryan Giles' exit.

Finn Azaz

Finn Azaz has enjoyed an excellent end to the month as he finally added an end-product to his largely positive performances. The Ireland international has rated highly on so many key metrics to make him a regular choice for Carrick, even if he is not always a favourite among some supporters.

With an excellent assist to help Boro beat Sheffield United, he followed that up with a goal against Norwich City - important steps for the attacking midfielder to take. It was by no means a conventional or clean strike, but it's a goal that he's needed as a reward for his positive work. Hopefully he can build on it in November.