Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray insists that if his side can finish above West Ham, they will be promoted.
Mowbray admits West Ham strength
Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray insists that if his side can finish above West Ham, they will be promoted.
During his tenure on Teesside, Mowbray has had to keep a constant check on finances - something which Sam Allardyce has not had to cope with at Upton Park.
And Mowbray, whose side face West Ham on Tuesday evening, admits they are the side everyone needs to beat in the Championship.
"Any team that finishes above West Ham will go up this season," he said.
"We are five points behind so a win takes us to within two points and a defeat means they are eight points ahead.
"If we lose the game it is not the end of the season, as there is a long way to go, but it will make it harder. It is West Ham, I hope it stirs the sinews of a few Boro fans who are at home debating on whether or not to come to the match and cheer us on.
"It will only be a victory if we can cope with their physicality and at times their directness.
"Any team that can replace John Carew with Carlton Cole in attack must have a decent squad.
"I think I've watched them a lot lately and they find a way to win. They didn't get much of a kick against Brighton and won 1-0. West Ham couldn't get the ball and won. Against Coventry last week the goals were off the striker's shoulder."
Injuries
Mowbray goes into the game with worries over strikers Marvin Emnes and Scott McDonald, which could lead to first league starts for either Bartholomew Ogbeche and/or Alex Nimely.
"There was a sense in training that Alex and Bart had a spring in their step because Marvin wasn't there and Scott wasn't there," said Mowbray.
"They were competing with each other and they both scored a lot of goals in training.
"Let's hope if they get a chance, they manage to reproduce their training ground form in the match.
"I have had to pull them in now and again and tell them they have to be patient until they get their chance. If that chance comes along to start a game they have to take that chance. That could be on Tuesday."
