Six-pointers are our priority, De Roon tells Boro team-mates

Middlesbrough midfielder Marten de Roon had told his team-mates to ignore recent dropped points to the Premier League’s big guns and worry about the head-to-heads with those at the foot of the table.

Boro have won once since August and taken two points from their last three fixtures against Manchester City, Chelsea and champions Leicester City.

It meant the weekend began with the Teesiders a point clear of the relegation zone.

But, as they prepare to welcome fellow strugglers Hull City to the Riverside Stadium, De Roon has emphasised this is the type of match that deserves their full attention.

“You can take points from the top teams but it’s much more important that you win games against the people around you,” he said.

(Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

“Monday is a massive opportunity for us to show the people around us that we’re above them.

“In the last few weeks we’ve been improving as a team in every single game.

“We were a little bit unlucky against Chelsea with the 1-0 defeat and against Leicester when we should’ve taken three points.

“But it gives us confidence that we’re playing better and showing that we can compete with anybody then finally the points will come.”