Boro and Tony Pulis feels like a match made in hell for any football purist who has seen Middlesbrough play in the last three seasons and knows how the head coach usually sets his teams up, but they have taken 7 points and scored 9 goals in their last three starts, so hard to know what to expect from them.
 

On tomorrow night's match against Middlesbrough and coming up against his former club...

“It’s destiny! No, but in all seriousness, those things are out of your control. It’s funny how football works out like that, you see it a lot. Whether it’s coincidences of destiny, or all those types of things, football has a funny way of doing those things on a regular basis. Of course, preparation time, being with the players for the first time today, I had a very good morning with them. Of course, it’s quick and it’s not the ideal situation but we have to put our full focus into it. Working with the players today, they’re a very good group, very determined to get themselves out of this situation, which is good, that’s the first thing you look for. And then you’re really just trying to give them those simple things right now in terms of what we need to do for this game tomorrow.

Asked if he thought there was enough quality in the squad to get the Club out of the situation it is in...

A big reason why I said 'yes' to coming here was seeing the capability of what’s in that squad. And, of course, I think we all know with the quality that is in the squad, for whatever reasons, they shouldn’t be in the position that they’re in, but they are. Having played against them earlier in the season, having watched a lot of their games from earlier in the season, and watching as many of their recent games as possible, I have a very good idea of those players. Of course, from previous seasons as well, knowing the players and what they’re capable of. It was that capability that was part of the attraction as well and knowing that there’s a good quality in there that they can do a lot better than they’re going right now. The situation is what it is. You can have quality but you have to put other things with it and that’s what I’m here to do and try and help these guys and this club. The focus is on these 11 games, there is no magic wand, but if we can put certain things in place that can help them then hopefully that quality comes out, which we’re confident it will do. We need to focus on these 11 games to make sure that, number one, we remain in the Championship.

On the mood of the players...

You understand the situation, but you’re never quite sure until you stand face to face with them and see it in their eyes, but they were very good and very motivated. Of course, they understand the situation and confidence isn’t at his highest, but naturally that’s dictated by the situation they’ve been in and result-wise. I see a very honest group, which is key in these situations. The only way we’re going to get out of this is together and by hard work and commitment.

Huge loss for Boro is Grant Leadbitter, who is very influential for them ( 1-3-5 in his absence this season). City have Maikel Kieftenbeld (see below) back now and in Leadbitters absence, that feels key.