Stewart Downing believes Middlesbrough should have secured Premier League survival far earlier than they did this season.
Victory in Boro's penultimate match of the campaign, against Portsmouth on Saturday, finally made them mathematically safe.
But winger Downing insists the club should not have been in such a predicament.
"We shouldn't have been in that situation," he told the club's official website.
"We've had many chances (to win), especially at home.
"We haven't taken those chances."


clappy (Middlesbrough) : "...Just some names of young players i think Boro can sign either in January or the transfer window after that, these are going to struggle to get games with there clubs so will be available for decent money. Defender Nedum ..." view full comment
Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Stephen Appiah, Alan Pardew could return to West Ham and Ipswich want Stoke's Ryan Shawcross.
More from today's press
TEAMtalk looks back at the events which led to the departure of Kevin Keegan from Newcastle - and feels he was left with little choice.
Read today's Column
enemark (Blackburn Rovers) : "...Ronaldo is a City player on Monday (the old Ronaldo)..." view full rumour

| LATEST PHOTOS | THE INSIDER | SUPER 6 |
![]() |
|
|
| Go to the Gallery | TEAMtalk Insider: TEAMtalk Top 10 | Win £100,000 |
Betting | Casino | Poker | Bingo
Your Comments
Mag (Middlesbrough fan)
"It's quite obvious to anyone except the barcodes that Boro play the best football of all of the "mid-table" sides on their day. The problem is that when it's not our day we revert to hoof and hope."
All comments on this story
The Middlesbrough Your Say main page