Boro boss bullish in face of fans' lack of belief

MICHAEL Carrick questioned how anybody could be anything but positive about Middlesbrough's prospects, despite the demoralising defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

In another uninspiring performance, Boro squandered a first-half lead in a second-half collapse at Hillsborough as they lost 2-1 to a side winning at home for the first time since New Year's Day. As well as highlighting many of the common faults of a side that have been frustratingly inconsistent this term, the defeat proved a massive missed opportunity.

Top-six rivals Coventry City and Bristol City both lost, meaning Boro could have moved into the play-off places had they won.