Forward Jeremie Aliadiere believes Middlesbrough's players have learned lessons from their 5-0 home defeat by Chelsea in October.
Since that loss, Boro have beaten Manchester City and drawn with Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United.
Aliadiere told BBC Tees: "It was a bad game but it did us some good. It woke us up and we've worked hard since.
"We've had a good week but we need to keep going to keep taking some points because the league is tight."
Boro's next game is against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.
Aliadiere is not fearful of the trip to the West Midlands.
"Apart from the top four teams everyone is beatable on the day. If we play well we can beat them so we go there and try to be really compact defensively and then counter-attack."
Aliadiere has also praised the form of goalkeeper Ross Turnbull.
The 23-year-old has put in a number of man-of-the-match performances in the Boro goal in recent matches.
"He's been great all season. He's kept us in a lot of games by making great saves," Aliadiere said.
Turnbull has made the number one spot his own after replacing the injured Brad Jones.
Aliadiere explained: "We're all very impressed and delighted with his performances at the moment. It gives us a lot of confidence when you know you have a great keeper who can make saves."
Turnbull, who is a product of the club's academy, pulled off a spectacular double save towards the end of Boro's 1-1 draw with West Ham to deny the Hammers' victory.
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