Aitor Karanka calls for Middlesbrough to step up
Friday 23 December 2016 15:10, UK
Aitor Karanka has urged his Middlesbrough side to improve against Burnley on Boxing Day despite beating Swansea City 3-0 last weekend.
The Spaniard said his players will be training on Christmas Day ahead of the trip to Turf Moor.
And he has challenged Boro to step up at Turf Moor, describing last Saturday's victory against the Swans as their "worst performance" of the season despite coming away with three points.
"We have had a few days to prepare and we know how important this period is in this league," Karanka said.
"We will be training early on Christmas Day with the lads, before they go home to enjoy lunch with their families.
"I said after the Swansea game it was our worst performance, but the players had a lot of pressure and the main thing was the result.
"We need to improve our performance level from Swansea but we would have lost that game in September or October. We're adding maturity."
Boro are 14th in the Premier League table, two places ahead of the Clarets.
But Karanka has warned that his side have to be wary of Burnley's record which has seen them take 16 out of their 17 points from home games.
"They are a really strong team but we have experience of playing there. They're a direct opponent in the table so it's a really important game," the former Real Madrid assistant coach added.
"I know them but we have players who weren't here last season. They need to know how strong and competitive they are.
"I will show them videos so we are ready. Their style at the moment is successful for them.
"Last season they won the Championship, this season the aim is the same as ours."
