KALAS TEES UP
TOMAS KALAS insists that Middlesbrough are desperate to win automatic promotion after last season’s play-off pain.
Aitor Karanka’s side suffered Wembley woe in May when Norwich secured a place in the Premier League promised land at their expense.
However, Boro have bounced back to make a stormingg start to the new campaign and nd could go top with victoryy over Fulham today.
And on-loan Chelsea defender Kal a s is determined to clinch a top- two finish to avoidid the uncertainty of another end-of-season lottery.
He said: “It was disappointing we never made it through, and it was even worse for me as I couldn’t play because my loan expired before the play-offs.
“We finished third, but unfortunately it came down to one game. Norwich deserved it and maybe we weren’t as ready for the Premier League as them because they are doing quite well.
“But we are better prepared this time. We have a stronger team and have cover in every position, which brings real competition between the players because no one is guaranteed to play. We are hungrier this year. We’ve had a really good start, despite losing against Reading. We are focused on getting promoted automatically. No one wants to go through that again.
“Being in the play-offs means a longer season. I was playing in the Under-21 European Championship in the Czech Republic, so I basically had no holiday. It was difficult.” Boro missed out on leapfrogging leader leaders Brighton after losing at pro promotion rivals Reading last t time out – their first league defeat in six games.
And Kalas is determined to get back on track a against the Cottagers at the Riv Riverside, adding: “We can’t afford to drop more points and go on a bad run. We have to win to get going again.”
Fulham’s Ryan Tunnicliffe (above) is set to get a hot reception from the home fans after targeting former Boro loanee Patrick Bamford following their play-off final loss.
The midfielder was issued a two-game ban and a £25,000 fine by the FA for his foul-mouthed tweet, but Cottagers boss Kit Symons has backed his player to thrive on the abuse.
He said: “That won’t worry him. He’ll be fully focused. He will expect a bit – but it will just spur him on.”