Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan has admitted his side must retain their focus away from the Riverside if they are to improve their travelling form.

Strachan's side have taken just one point from nine on the road this season, with defeats at Barnsley and QPR evidence of the slump.

"We had a good first half at Barnsley and QPR," he told BBC Look North.

"But we need to keep our concentration for longer than 45 minutes if we're to get that win we're after."

Tavares has this magic ability of passing the ball to a team-mate. Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan

The Teessiders' recent form has seen them pick up two straight wins against Burnley and Reading, with on-loan Hamburg utility man Mikael Tavares impressing in a variety of positions.

"We like him, he's played well in the games he's played," Strachan added.

"He's had three terrific games for us, and he's a real player. He has this magic ability of passing the ball to a team-mate.

"Most professional footballers can do that, but a lot of them can't do it in games."

Middlesbrough travel to Watford in the Championship on Saturday.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version