MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 03:06:08| >> :120:47032:47032:

Aitor Karanka rules out work on Middlesbrough's defence

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka says that he has not spent extra time working on the side's defence.

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has insisted that he has not spent extra time on improving the team's defence.

Boro have the fourth worst defensive record in the Championship this season, conceding 26 goals in 16 games.

Karanka told BBC Sport: "No, we have not been concentrating on our defence. I was a defender and we never trained like that, attack as a team and defend as a team.

"Our attitude was good against Leeds, but we must improve our concentration to make less mistakes, not put extra focus on the defence."

Boro were beaten 2-1 by Leeds United in Karanka's first match in charge last weekend.

ID:121004: cacheID:121004:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1095:
Written by
Steven Toplis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
New Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka poses with the club shirt as he is unveiled at Rockliffe Park on November 13, 2013
Read Next:
Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Bolton
>
Read more about Aitor Karanka Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
2Leeds UnitedLeeds22136341152645
3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!