Marcus Forss details approach Middlesbrough should take in potential quest for promotion | OneFootball

Middlesbrough forward Marcus Forss believes his side needs to take things one game at a time and focus on the short term after climbing into the play-off zone, speaking to BBC Radio Tees.

Previously looking as though they were going to be in a relegation battle under Chris Wilder during the early stages of the season, the 55-year-old was relieved of his duties during the early stages of October.

Since then, things have improved for Boro who endured a mixed time under then-caretaker boss Leo Percovich before handing over to Michael Carrick who has done a superb job at the Riverside so far.

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Going unbeaten in seven of Carrick’s nine games in charge and picking up 19 points from a possible 27 in the process during that run, Boro have transformed themselves from relegation battlers to promotion contenders.

Although many teams are packed together quite closely at this stage, with just two points separating them and Preston North End who currently find themselves in 15th place, the Teesside outfit look set for a bright future under the former Manchester United midfielder’s stewardship.

At this stage though, Forss just wants his team to focus on the next game with his side in action again on Monday as they face Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.

Speaking after Boro’s 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers, he said (via Teesside Live): “We have to take it game by game and not get carried away.

“The next game is already quickly around the corner so we just have to concentrate on that. It’s a tough league so we know we have to just take it game by game and hope that pays off by the end.”

The Verdict:

Boro are currently in a great position to kick on – but Wilder also made a bright start to life at the Riverside before it went downhill and Carrick will be very aware of that.

Their consistency between now and the end of the season will determine whether they will be in the promotion mix at the end of the season or not, with several other teams also hoping to be in the top six.

A top-two finish looks out of reach at this point with Burnley and Sheffield United thriving – and they also need to look at their other league rivals because West Brom, Coventry City and Luton Town are just three teams who will be expected to be in and around the play-offs.

Watford should also be there considering the strength of their squad and Norwich City could potentially drag themselves back into contention if their next manager can get a tune out of them.

Finishing just outside the play-off zone last term, there will be no shortage of motivation for Boro to go one further this season but they will face a huge battle in their quest to secure a top-six place.