Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has said that the prospect of relegation should be enough to inspire his side to improve their form.
Boro are currently level with West Brom on 22 points at the bottom of the Premier League in what is their 10th consecutive season in the top flight.
Downing told BBC Tees: "Do you want to play three games a week down there or be playing Man United and Chelsea?
"It's a great incentive for the lads to think about that and get some points."
Last weekend's draw with Blackburn at the Riverside was Boro's 12th league game without a win and Downing is itching to end that run when Gareth Southgate's men travel to Manchester City on Saturday.
"It's been a long time, the cup game was a great one, but we have to get back to reality and think about points," said Downing.
"Cup runs are great but I'd settle for league points instead of a cup run if I'm honest.
"I'm looking at training this week, the lads look bright and confident, we know what we've got to do and we've just got to get on with it."
Boro were promoted to the Premier League in 1998 and reached the final of the Uefa Cup in 2006.
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