Agnew preaching positivity as Boro look to avoid drop

Middlesbrough midfielder Marten de Roon claims the new coaching setup at the club has given the team a new attitude in the battle for Premier League survival.

Following Aitor Karanka’s departure in mid-March, head coach Steve Agnew has taken over the reins and added coaches Jonathan Woodgate, Joe Jordan and Paul Jenkins to the staff.

Boro go into this weekend on 22 points, five from safety, and travel to fellow strugglers Swansea City in what looks to be a crucial game in the battle to avoid relegation.

The Teesiders have not played for a fortnight, with the international break taking over last weekend, and de Roon said the key point from Agnew in that time has been one of positivity.

“His message is to believe in staying up,” De Roon said.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

“We have to play as a team and work for each other and the results will come. It’s all about reaching above that line come the end of the season.

“It’s good that he [Agnew] knows the area, he knows the club and he knows the players and how we play.

“There have been changes, and there are new people around the team. Jonathan Woodgate is a familiar face but he was a world class player. Joe Jordan I think it’s a similar story.

“A new manager means a new attitude and new chances. Maybe the players who had not being playing are a little bit more alive.

“We’ll do things a little bit different but I think we’re in a good way.”