Attitude must improve - Southgate

Southgate demands 'big finish' for Boro

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has admitted his frustration at the inconsistency of his side after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham.

"It's the attitude," he told BBC Tees. "It was a quiet atmosphere here and I think we were lulled into that.

"The first half performance as a team was unacceptable but we were much better in the second half.

"Maybe we thought the season was over but it's not. Things are changing at this club. We're taking steps forward."

606: DEBATE We need to finish teams off still, but the signs are great GASMAN01

Boro now take on relegation-haunted Bolton Wanderers at the Riverside this Saturday.

And, after 10 games without a win, struggling Bolton will arrive in far better spirits, having given themselves hope by beating West Ham on Saturday. But Southgate believes there is plenty of incentive for his own side to perform this weekend.

"I expected Bolton to beat West Ham," he said. "That was a must-win for them.

"But we've got to finish strongly. We've still got the opportunity to go up the table and we want to be doing that."

Boro lie 13th in the Premier League on 36 points, seven clear of Wanderers, who occupy the third relegation spot in 18th.