Seething Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka delivered a damning verdict on his players following their 2-0 defeat at Portman Road on Saturday, criticism that Mick McCarthy would never have to direct at his own team according to Town skipper Luke Chambers.

Karanka acknowledged that Town wanted it more than his side and accused them of dwelling on their win over Derby the previous week, to the extent that they believed they were worthy of Premier League or even Champions League status when in reality they still have plenty to do if they are going to exit the Championship in an upwardly direction.

But while Chambers & Co will never come up short in terms of commitment while McCarthy is in charge the 29-year-old defender has been around long enough to know that football can be unpredictable, the unexpected often striking when things appear to be running oh-so smoothly.

Town head for Brentford on Boxing Day looking to extend their impressive run to one defeat in 19 games with Chambers admitting: “It’s impossible to know what is lurking round the corner. Brentford could have three shots on Friday and they might all fly into the top corner.

“We have to keep our feet on the ground and if there’s an early setback there we just have to stay together like we always have done so far this year and be prepared for what’s in front of us.

“We won’t change the way we play because it has been so successful so far and I think when any team can put a run together of just one defeat in 18 games it’s not a fluke that they are so close to the top of the league.”

Chambers has also admitted that he is a far less reluctant right-back these days, even owning up: “I’m really enjoying it. We seem to be on top of teams at the moment and I can go forward rather than being one on one against rapid wingers, which isn’t exactly my forte.

“Yes, I want to be playing centre-half and I’ll never go away from that, but we’re second in the Championship with me at right-back for the past however many games.

“We’re on a great run and I do like it when Ando’s in front of me because I’ve never seen anyone work quite as hard as he does. I’m enjoying it and that’s the main thing. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.”

As if to underline the feel-good factor at Portman Road these days Chambers performed an extravagant back-heeled pass in the build-up to Town’s excellent second goal in the win over Boro on Saturday, the home fans loving the triangular passing that preceded Teddy Bishop’s sublime cross for Jay Tabb to rocket home a header.

Chambers laughed: “I told you we were playing with confidence. I knew Didzy would read it. Maybe I’ve been around him so long that I’m pinching a few tricks from his repertoire. But I’ll only do that sort of thing in the top quarter, not anywhere else.

“It was a good bit of play from us and the gaffer and TC have been working on that with us. In the past I might have got it from the throw-in and chucked it straight into the box but now we’re trying to build things up and play a bit more. Bish was there, he whipped the ball in and we scored.

“It’s about getting our better players on the ball. We also did it for the first goal when Bish slipped Tabby in down the other side and from his cut-back we opened the scoring.

“Listen, if I can give the ball to McGoldrick, Skuse, Bishop or Anderson I will — they’re all better footballers than me.”

Photo: Action Images

Steve_M added 11:22 - Dec 23 "I knew Didzy would read it. Maybe I've been around him so long that I'm pinching a few tricks from his repertoire." When your central defenders are willing to play like this, that is such a joy to watch. PR is a fun place to be this season. Long may it continue.
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