Flint demands Boro go on the front foot and add to their defensive steel

ADEN FLINT reckons Boro showed they are a force when they “have a go.”

Tony Pulis’s men have slipped off the automatic promotion pace after just two wins in eight games.

They have a problem scoring goals, with just 23 in 21 games, the fifth worst in the division. Rivals West Brom have notched 44.

Boro rely on a solid defence, the best in the Championship, but it makes for dour watching at times.

What they lack in firepower they make up for in staying power. Pulis puts the faltering results down to a lack of pace up front, but could it be down to attitude?

It rarely feels like Boro are unleashed and go for the kill in an attacking sense.

Down to 10 men with Mo Besic sent off (right) and Charlie Mulgrew converting the free-kick (below), Boro launched an excellent comeback after the break.

Flint (above far right) said: “The red card took the wind out of our sails. But I thought our character and team spirit helped us grind through.

“When we came in at halftime, we just said we had to regroup, keep a good shape behind the ball and have a real go. We just decided we had to go for it.

“We can build on this. The character has always been there, but I think it shone through even brighter today. “For people who maybe didn’t think we had that strong a character in the team, it just showed what we’re all about. “The period we’re in can make or break a season. “We do know what the Championship is all about. I’ve been in it for five or six years now, and everyone beats everyone.

“It’s a crazy league, it’s a long season, and people are going to drop points. “That’s why we see this as a point gained.”

Pulis was adamant Besic should only have got a yellow card. Had Britt Assombalonga or Jordan Hugill taken their other chances Boro could have won.

Rovers will go higher in the league if they become more ruthless.

Rovers boss Tony Mowbray said: “We hit a post, got into good areas. Boro’s goal was brilliant. We didn’t show resilience that we have done on the road.

“There is frustration in the dressing room. We should not have dropped points. We needed a second goal. Boro are so solid even with 10 men.” MIDDLESBROUGH: BLACKBURN: