TheCable

Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo, has disclosed that he is targeting automatic promotion with Championship side Middlesbrough this season rather than through the lottery of a play-off.

Boro have won four successive games in the league and Cup and Omeruo said the team must continue in that rich vein of form to achieve their overall aim of promotion at the end of the season.

“From the first day I got here, I realised that the team is like a family,” he said.

“Everyone works to support the team together and we know we have to fight for the three points in every game. We lost some points a few weeks ago but we didn’t let it hold us back. It’s important to stay close to the top and we’re one point off Bournemouth now.

“I want us to go up automatic and not the play-offs but it’s looking good and I think it will only get better. It’s better to go up automatic – that way you know you’ve made it. Plus, anything can happen in the Play-Offs. We have to fight and with the support of the fans hopefully we’ll be in the top two.”

The defender has kind words for his manager Aitor Karanka and his staff for the progress the team has made this season.

Boro currently sit in third place in the Championship with 53 points from 28 games  and, having only dropped two league points since the turn of the year, the team have lost only once in the last 17 games.

“I think the main difference this season has been the manager,” Omeruo said.

“He added some good players to the squad and the mentality we have of everyone pushing through for a place in the team has been wonderful.

“The staff understands what we need as players and they provide it. It’s important to know how to handle your players and talk to the team and that’s why we work as hard as we can for the each other and the manager.”

Boro’s next game is at the Riverside against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.