Daniel Ayala has suggested that Middlesbrough's Championship rivals are "a bit scared" of facing his side this season due to the quality throughout the squad.
The Smoggies spent big in the summer in an attempt to go one better than last season's playoff final defeat.
Boro have found their groove once again of late by racking up three wins on the bounce, including a memorable League Cup triumph at Old Trafford last week.
A 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at the weekend, which saw Ayala make a rare appearance on the scoresheet, ensures that Aitor Karanka's men remain firmly on track for a Premier League return.
"It's not very often that I score," the defender told the club's official website. "I'm happy but the most important thing is we won 3-0 and that will give us a lot of confidence for the next game. Every team is difficult to break down, but once you do it it's easier.
"We know we've got a lot of quality this year, though, so it was only a matter of time. Everyone is a bit scared of us this year with the quality we have so they come here to defend and get a draw, but this year we're better than last so it's easier for us."
Fourth-placed Boro are now just one point off an automatic promotion berth and three adrift of leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.
Daniel Lewis
