Tuesday 25 April 2017 19:17, UK
Steve Agnew admits he did not envisage managing a side involved in a Premier League relegation battle ahead of Middlesbrough's clash with derby rivals Sunderland.
On August 21, Boro collected three points for the first time since their return to the top flight after defeating the Black Cats 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.
However, they have won only three league matches since, their last coming on December 17 when they beat Swansea, to leave themselves nine points adrift of safety with only 15 more available ahead of a tough run of fixtures.
Aitor Karanka, the head coach who guided the club back into the big time, has been replaced in the short term by former Sunderland midfielder Agnew, and he knows time is running out fast, particularly following Saturday's 4-0 drubbing at Bournemouth.
"Back in August, it was a terrific performance and we thoroughly deserved to win the game," Agnew said.
"Moving on from August to now, April, of course there's lots of negativity towards the second half of the season and we haven't got the wins that we needed, so it's a massive disappointment.
"But we have to remain focused and we have to enjoy the challenge ahead, and that's what we will do (on Wednesday night).
"The first thing is we need the three points; secondly, the players are determined to put on a show for the supporters; and thirdly, there has to be a reaction after the disappointment of Saturday.
"We have to win the game and that's what we will be setting out to do. Three points is everything we need and that's the target."
Sunderland are the only Premier League club worse off than Boro - they have three points fewer, although have a game in hand - and defeat for either at the Riverside Stadium would all but consign them to relegation to the Championship.
Should Boro be relegated there will be interest in their players including club captain Ben Gibson, who was recently called up to the England squad, and Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo.
Negredo believes the Boro squad need to take their share of responsibility for the position they find themselves in with their survival ambitions depleting with every defeat.
Agnew admits confidence is low on Teesside, but believes there is still hope going into their final five matches of the season, which include fixtures against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
He said: "Well, if you look at any team that hasn't won since December, then obviously the confidence is in the balance. We have to keep working away at it, and we have and will continue to do that.
"What I have seen from Sunday is a very focused group that is determined to put a show on for the supporters in a north-east derby.
"There will be 30,000 Teessiders in the stadium with a good following from Sunderland, so the passion and the energy that will come from the Middlesbrough fans is everything that the players will need."
