Source: Northern_Echo
McManus backs Boro to make promotion push
STEPHEN McManus insists the Middlesbrough squad want promotion just as much as the fans do and believes it is far too early for people to write Gordon Strachan's side off.[LNB] McManus completed a permanent move to the Riverside from Celtic in the summer after an impressive loan spell last season, but the defender has seen his side struggle so far after being touted as favourites for the Championship title.[LNB] Boro have managed only one win and already find themselves six points adrift of early pace-setters QPR, who are up next for Strachan's side a week today.[LNB] Despite alarm bells already ringing around the Riverside, Scotland international Mc- Manus believes it is still too early in the season to start worrying and insists the players are fully focused on winning promotion back to the Premier League.[LNB] We want it as much as everybody else, said the former Celtic man.[LNB] It's a very hard league to get out of but the squad we've got is more than capable and there are a few sides that are the same.[LNB] We're only three games into the season so there's plenty of time and I've no doubt in my mind we'll be fine.[LNB] It doesn't take that much time for the lads to gel but it does take time for the team to find their feet and the manager to get the team he wants, but we'll see what happens.[LNB] The defender is one of three SPL players recruited by Strachan this summer and despite some doubts about their credentials south of the border, McManus claims the Scottish contingent are already used to the Championship.[LNB] It's a hard league physically, but you get used to it, he said.[LNB] There are a lot of players coming down from Scotland to the Championship, Cardiff are another team with a few Scottish players.[LNB] You're up against players who are bigger, stronger, quicker and technically better, but there's not much in it to be fair. There are some very good players in Scotland and some very good players here, but players come down here to play in the top league and that's where we want to be, so hopefully we can achieve that.[LNB]
