Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has warned his players that they will have to raise the level of their performances to win promotion to the Premier League.
The North East outfit drew their final game of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion, which means that they will enter their playoff campaign on the back of a two-game winless run.
Karanka told Sky Sports News: "It's not important who we play against in the playoffs, but we need to improve because the last few performances weren't good.
"We were expecting an amazing game with the fans behind us. We have another game at home to thank our fans for this season. We have to prepare as well as we can.
"It's not a worry - it's frustrating for me. I always want more. It's been an amazing season and we can't forget now we have to prepare well and be more together than ever to go into the play-offs in a positive way. Promotion is in our hands."
Karanka's men play Brentford in their playoff semi-final clash.
Simon Sinclair
