AWAY THE LA ADS! Signs look good on the road as Southgate's men get it right.

YES, it was only Swansea. A team missing last season's 30-goal strike force, reeling after the departure of an inspirational manager and with most of the first choice midfield on the treatment table.

But they were a seasoned Championship side that were well organised, worked hard in midfield and created their fair share of chances, so Boro's win at the Liberty Stadium is worthy of some celebration.

It may not be time to cut the top off the Ellerman Beeline for a parade down Linthorpe Road but let us not be churlish, it was an away day win and we barely remember them.

Boro ticked all the boxes: they were strong at the back to collect a second clean sheet; they were industrious and energetic in midfield and with Gary O'Neil an exercise in perpetual motion, the red two were more than a match for Swansea's three; the flankers were inventive and incisive and carved open the opposition defence; the front two worked hard and chased back; and Marvin Emnes cracked in a sizzling strike to show he does have firepower.

More importantly, it is a massive psychological hurdle leaped. Boro CAN win away.

Last season Boro were a disaster on the road. A six-month slow-motion car crash left our Premiership pedigree dented and twisted beyond recognition, rusted and dumped in a scrapyard of broken dreams.

Champions Manchester United remain the only team to beat Boro at the Riverside this year - but the travel sickness was terminal.

Before the trip to Swansea, Boro had a shameful club record 12 away league losses on the bounce.

That disastrous dozen defeats left the team and fans demoralised and fearful and handed host teams a huge advantage: if they could keep it tight Boro would eventually wilt and wobble and leave themselves vulnerable at the back.

Boro had last won away in November when a battling display and two Tuncay goals earned a 2-1 win at Champions League chasing Aston Villa. That nudged Boro up to the dizzy heights of eighth and prompted some shortlived bubbles of optimism but that was as good as it got.

There followed insipid, uninspired and costly defeats at Hull, Fulham, Manchester United, West Brom, Chelsea, Manchester City, Spurs, Stoke, Bolton, Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham... all nails in the Premier League coffin.

The vulnerability to set-plays, the brittle mentality, the fear as the clock ticked down, the predictability of the sickening late goal were the hallmarks of a Boro away day.

So it was hugely important to put down a marker in The Principality, to slay the dragon of away-day despair.

If we are to be chasing a swift return then we must be ruthless in plundering the points on the road against teams who will see Boro as big boys - Swansea had the match down as a 'Category A' game try to shut up shop. -and who will Equally important wa the victory. as the manner of After 12 defeats, I wo scrappy 1-0 win thanks after being battered fo In fact Boro turned in professional performan ould have taken a s to a late oggy r 89 minutes. n a thoroughly nce and answered a lot of pressing questions.

It was far from an easy game.

Swansea's midfield five had some bright moments and with Leon Britton pulling the strings at times their movement down the flanks caused a headache for Tony McMahon and Jonathan Grounds.

Several times Stephen Dobbie broke through and Robert Huth or David Wheater were needed to make perfect sliding tackles to block shots.

But Gary O'Neil grabbed the game firmly by the throat.

The engine room battler closed down quickly, crashed into tackles, intercepted passes and showed some excellent distribution to stifle Swansea and seize the initiative.

With his energy and some willing work from Rhys Williams the threat of Britton was neutralised, Swansea were forced deeper and Boro were allowed to play the game in and around the home team's box.

O'Neil looks a cut above at this level and if he can perform like this consistently he can be a trump card this term.

His imperious display bought time and space and allowed Boro's undoubtedly quality to shine through.

He was not alone in his work rate. The pair on the flanks put in a shift too, chasing back when needed but also pressing the full-backs to force mistakes when Swansea had possession while making incisive runs down the wings or cutting inside if Boro had the ball, offering balance, options, pace and work-rate that will be crucial in this division.

Emnes' goal was a real peach and deserves its bandwidth on YouTube for its sheer quality.

The other moments of quality were bittersweet: Turk talisman Tuncay came on for an electrifying 25 minute cameo full of audacious twists and turns, sublime close control and neat back-heels that bamboozled the opposition and galvanised Boro fans and, to top it off, scored a goal.

He was head and shoulders above the rest of the players on the pitch, in the way that Magic Man Paul Merson was at this level last time.

Unfortunately, unlike Merson, he is unlikely to be at the heart of the promotion surge. That may well be his Swans-song.

CAPTION(S):

MIDFIELD BITE: Boro's Gary O'Neil leads the way STUNNER: Marvin Emnes is mobbed by Boro team-mates after his great strike HEADS WE WIN: Tuncay nods home as Boro seal their victory on the road at Swansea ICING ON THE CAKE: Right, Tuncay celebrates with David Wheater after scoring the third goal in the Championship victory at Swansea City on Saturday and, below, Adam Johnson fires home the first HEADS WE WIN: Tuncay nods home as Boro seal their victory on the road at Swansea