Boro must be positive, says boss Karanka

Aitor Karanka says now is not the time to panic after Middlesbrough fell into the relegation zone.

The Teesiders slumped to a toothless 2-0 loss at Stoke City – with a first-half double from Marko Arnautovic enough to condemn Karanka’s men to a 13th Premier League defeat.

Fans’ frustration with Karanka has been building gradually since the turn of the year, with Boro securing just four wins all season and scoring a lacklustre 19 goals from 27 games.

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Results went against them this weekend, with Swansea City, Crystal Palace and Leicester City all securing vital wins and Bournemouth snatching a point at Old Trafford.

Boro now have a two-week break from league action as they tackle Manchester City in the FA Cup, but they next face Manchester United at the Riverside Stadium.

But Karanka says now is the time to be positive as they try to turn their season around.

“In this kind of moment we need to be positive. We have to know we have done good things so far,” he said.

“We have to keep believing in this group of players. Until the last day we will keep fighting.

“We are in the bottom three and we need to work harder to leave those positions.”