Monk Demands A Winning Habit

Boro cut play-off gap to just five

- Michael Hale

GARY Monk urged his Middlesbrough players to use this comfortable win over Ipswich Town as a platform to get back into the play-off positions.

Martin Braithwaite and Patrick Bamford scored either side of half-time to end a two game losing streak.

Boro moved above Ipswich and have cut the gap on the top six to five points, with Monk insisting they cannot afford another slip in form.

“The main part of today was to show a response for our fans and for ourselves,” said Monk. “We were always comfortable, we were deserved winners of the game.

“It was a step forward in terms of showing the possibilities of what we can be. I still think we can be a lot better and that there’s a lot more to come from us.