Roberto Martinez Backs Boro Promotion Hopes
Roberto Martinez says his side are preparing to face a side of Premier League quality, such is the talent within Middlesbrough’s ranks.
Tuesday evening’s opponents fell at the final hurdle in their promotion bid last season, suffering a play-off final defeat to Norwich City.
Boro, however, have won six of their last 10 league fixtures this season which has seen them climb to second in the Championship and Martinez believes it is only a matter of time before the Teessiders seal a return to the top flight.
“They were very unfortunate last season,” he explained. “They had a little bit of a dip real late in the season and the play-offs are a lottery and it clearly didn’t go in their favour.
“But nothing stopped them from carrying on from where they left off. If anything, they have improved on what they did last season and it’s just a matter of time.
“Middlesbrough will go into the Premier League and I think they are a team that is capable of having a very good season at that level.”
Martinez also praised the impact of Boro boss Aitor Karanka and says he has been impressed by the way the former Real Madrid assistant has adapted to managing in England.
He added: “I think what Karanka has done, as a foreign manager arriving into the English game, and to understand the football club so quickly and the needs of the football club has been very impressive.
“He’s brought stability, he’s brought understanding and he’s brought a different footballing philosophy.
“The team plays with terrific concepts and we know it’ll be a very tough game but away from that, they deserve huge credit for what they have done in the last two seasons and it’s just a matter of time before they get back into the Premier League.”