MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 19:40:56| >> :600:201277:201277:

Aitor Karanka: 'Middlesbrough cannot get carried away after bright start'

Aitor Karanka admits that Middlesbrough have "started really well" this season, but warns that tougher tests lie in wait over the coming weeks and months.

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has warned his players to keep their feet on the ground following an unbeaten start the season.

The Smoggies have taken five points from a possible nine on their return to the Premier League, earning draws against Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion while also seeing off Sunderland.

Karanka has strengthened his ranks since Boro's last outing, a well-earned stalemate at The Hawthorns, by bringing in versatile defender Calum Chambers on loan from Arsenal to help cover at the back.

Speaking to reporters ahead of his side's return to action at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday, Karanka told reporters: "Sometimes in the market you can find bargains. We were waiting for the right player and Calum Chambers ticks all the boxes

"We have started really well but we can't get carried away because we know how difficult this league is. I prefer to arrive at my desk with this headache to choose my team. The attitude of the players is really good and I am really pleased.

"Crystal Palace are experienced and have a good manager. But we have to focus on ourselves and play in our style."

Boro head into the fourth round of Premier League fixtures sitting sixth in the table, four points off the division's early pacesetters at the top.

ID:280888: cacheID:280888:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2408:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Calum Chambers during a training session ahead of the Champions League clash between Arsenal and Barcelona on February 22, 2016
Read Next:
Chambers joins Middlesbrough on loan
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds20125336142241
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd19125227111639
3Burnley2010822471738
4Sunderland20107329151437
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn1910452317634
6Middlesbrough209473425931
7Watford189362624230
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1961122114729
9Swansea CitySwansea207672119227
10Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
11Bristol City206862525026
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds207582329-626
13Millwall186752016425
14Luton TownLuton2064102335-1222
15Coventry CityCoventry195682527-221
16Derby CountyDerby205692226-421
17Stoke CityStoke205692126-521
18Preston North EndPreston1931061826-819
19Oxford UnitedOxford Utd184682028-818
20Queens Park RangersQPR193971826-818
21Portsmouth183872130-917
22Cardiff CityCardiff184591728-1117
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth1945101940-2117
24Hull City1936101727-1015


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!