Manager Aitor Karanka is confident Middlesbrough can record their first home win of the season on Sunday when they welcome Watford to the Riverside Stadium.
Middlesbrough, who returned to the English top flight for the first time since 2009 this year, have endured a tough start to their campaign, having picked up just one win from seven.
That sole victory came away at rivals Sunderland in the second match and results since then have taken somewhat of a downward spiral.
Boro have drawn two and lost three of their last five matches and the drop in form has seen the club tumble towards the relegation zone.
Many are expecting a tough battle to beat the drop this season and an improvement on home soil will definitely be needed if Karanka’s men are to stay in the league.
The Spanish tactician is targeting three points against Watford and he hopes the players can show the kind of commitment they did in their most recent outing.
“We’ve had an international break, but in our last game at West Ham we played with the right organisation and attitude,” Karanka said.
“We have to go to the pitch on Sunday with the same attitude, and hopefully we can win our first game at home this season.”
Middlesbrough have suffered no fresh injury concerns following the international break, meaning Uruguay duo Gaston Ramirez and Cristhian Stuani should be handed starting spots.
However, captain Grant Leadbitter remains on the sidelines as he works his way back to full fitness following hernia surgery.
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