Stewart Downing not carried away by Middlesbrough's Premier League start
Monday 22 August 2016 13:30, UK
Stewart Downing is refusing to get carried away by Middlesbrough's encouraging start to life back in the Premier League.
Boro followed up their opening day draw against Stoke with a 2-1 derby victory over Sunderland on Sunday to secure a first top-flight win since their return.
Former Aston Villa, Liverpool and West Ham midfielder Downing was always confident his hometown club would have what it takes to compete in the Premier League, but he knows their adventure has only just begun.
He said: "We were always confident behind closed doors that we had the squad. You have seen the players coming in - they obviously believe in what we are doing. We have signed some big players and they are performing well.
"I feel confident we can do well, it's been proved in the two games that we can match it. But there's a long way to go yet. We have a lot of points to play for and we have to play like that every week.
"We will have tough times and it's how you come through them as well."
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Uruguay midfielder Cristhian Stuani was an unused substitute against Stoke but scored two against Sunderland, with his first being a stunning long-range shot over Black Cats keeper Vito Mannone.
And Downing, in his second spell at the Riverside Stadium, believes the first-team rotation is a measure of their squad's strength this season.
He said: "Cristhian comes in today for his first start and gets two great goals, but it's a squad game and we have got strength in depth now. We have got two players in nearly every position, so you have got to be on your toes and play well.
"Everyone is fighting. It's obviously disappointing when they don't play, everyone is like that, but it's a team game and players will be needed over the course of the season."
The win leaves Boro in sixth place in the table after two rounds of fixtures and although their only focus for the campaign is survival, that is more than satisfactory.
Downing said: "The bigger picture is we have won, three points, that's four on the board. It's been a relatively good start for us.
"Overall, we should have beaten Stoke, but we'll take a point and we'll go to West Brom now and if we can get something there, it's been a good start."
