Middlesbrough must improve their record against the leading clubs in the division, admits manager Tony Pulis.
Having overcome just three of the top twelve so far this season, Boro were up against current leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers later this afternoon.
To date they’ve only managed to take maximum points when firstly Rudy Gestede’s header earned them a narrow 1-0 victory over Sheffield United in their opening home game of the campaign.
Then by defeating visitors Ipswich Town 2-0 in December, with Martin Braithwaite and Patrick Bamford on target; and also winning 3-2 at Preston North End on New Years Day, thanks to Daniel Ayala (2) and Jonny Howson helping secure Pulis’ first victory in charge.
In addition to Wolves, they are also still to face Sheffield United, Bristol City and Derby County again between now and the end of the season; and with no successes against the five clubs immediately above them in the table, need to improve that record straight away given the possibility of making the play-offs.
“The record is there, and it’s not a good one,” Pulis admitted to The Northern Echo. “It’s certainly not something that we would want, or that any team would want. But that’s the way it’s been, and it’s been that way all season. Let’s put it right in this game.”