Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka admits relegation fears after Stoke loss

Aitor Karanka acknowledged Middlesbrough are embroiled in a relegation battle after their defeat at Stoke.

The Spaniard watched on as Marko Arnautovic's first-half double condemned his goal-shy side to a defeat that saw them drop into the bottom three.

Asked how bad things were for the Teessiders, Karanka told Sky Sports: "You need to look at the table.

"We have to stay working. We are a newly-promoted team, without experience, without a lot of things. We competed today, it was difficult because we conceded a goal, something we had seen before the game.

"Their second goal came early so it was difficult because when you have that experience it's difficult to come back. But we have to keep going."

Karanka made five changes to the side he fielded in last weekend's defeat at Crystal Palace.

Asked if his alterations had the desired effect, the Spaniard replied: "I thought if we played in the same shape that we could be better.

"But with the attitude of some players in the first half we couldn't. Every single player has to play 150 per cent and when someone isn't the team is not strong enough. Something has to change."

Karanka's position at the Riverside Stadium has come under threat after Middlesbrough, who now failed to score a league goal since January 31, fired another blank.

Asked if he felt his position was under pressure, the Boro boss added: "One only thing I can control is my job. If I work on things I cannot control then I won't have control.

"The only thing I have known since I've been here is to work. In bad situations in my career, the only thing I have known is to work hard so that is what I will do.

"I think I am trying to do my best since I arrived here. My job is to keep going, trust these players and to work harder if it's possible.

"We have a big fight. We knew at the beginning of the season we were going to be fighting. Now we have to realise that and leave those positions."