Points over performance for Middlesbrough now says Downing

It’s all about points and it doesn’t matter how they come for Middlesbrough in their remaining Premier League matches according to midfielder Stewart Downing.

Boro have just three games left, starting with Chelsea on Monday, to salvage their top-flight status and are six points behind Hull City.

A win for Hull against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon would mean anything but a win against Chelsea would see Downing and his team relegated after just a single season in the Premier League.

And Downing admits that while Steve Agnew has had a positive impact on the squad since Aitor Karanka’s departure, he is surprised the squad find themselves on the verge of the drop.

(LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)

“It’s ok being happy with performances, but it’s about points and not performances,”  said Downing.

“We have to keep going until the end and give our all. I honestly thought we would stay in this league and wouldn’t be in this position.

“I thought we would have done better, but we have to keep going. The gaffer is giving the players the confidence. I know what he’s about and the players enjoy working with him.

“The circumstances have been difficult for him, but he’s a bubbly character, he doesn’t dwell and he gets the message across about what he expects – and he expects high standards.”