Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has talked up the importance of his side's point from their 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.
Boro ensured that they will go into the international break with their unbeaten record intact in the Premier League this season by playing out a stalemate at The Hawthorns.
Karanka admitted that his side were not at their best in terms of performance, but believes that it was a good result following their EFL Cup exit at the hands of Fulham on Wednesday.
"I was really pleased because every single point in the Premier League is important. I am pleased because after our defeat in the cup it was important to play well. We didn't play how we like to play but we played with great spirit," he told BBC Sport.
"It was a difficult game for both of us but a point is massive because in the Premier League every game is tough. To have five points on the table is good and we'd have taken that. Maybe today wasn't the best performance but the spirit was there.That's important.
"I am pleased with the job the club has done because we had pre-season with almost all the squad. We have worked well but even with new players we are compact. As a manager you are always expecting a surprise near the deadline. Part of that surprise is that sometimes other clubs ask for our players. But I am really calm. The club has working and ready if something happens."
The clean sheet was Middlesbrough's first away in the Premier League since October 2008.
Barney Corkhill
