TONY Mowbray insists there is no need for Middlesbrough to change their positive attacking approach despite conceding three goals in two of their last three matches.

After slipping to a surprise 3-1 home defeat to Bristol City towards the end of last month, Boro lost 3-2 at Birmingham last Friday evening.

The games were sandwiched by a comfortable home win over Huddersfield that featured a welcome clean sheet, but the standard of defending at St Andrew's in particular was well below par.

Mowbray accepts the Teessiders will have to tighten up when they travel to bottom club Peterborough on Saturday, but is not prepared to sacrifice his side's attacking threat in order to precipitate a defensive improvement.

"We know we have to improve defensively from the goals we gave away at Birmingham, but you have to keep doing what you believe is right," said the Boro boss.

"If you play as well as we have been doing in spells recently, you'll win more matches than you lose. You just have to keep going, and we'll be fine.

"Let's keep going and see where the season takes us. There are things we can improve, but at the moment we're doing okay."

Boro have been short of defensive options in recent matches, and while left-back George Friend could return to action at London Road, Jonathan Woodgate continues to struggle with a calf injury.

Rhys Williams remains on the long-term absentee list, although the Australian should be available for the busy Christmas period.

"Hopefully, we'll get stronger when Williams returns," said Mowbray. "And hopefully Woody's core fitness gets to the point where it was at the start of the season, where he can play every week and we've got good selection problems.

"That's how you do your business. You've got to have two players in every position because you never know when someone's going to get injured."

* Middlesbrough supporters have another chance to meet some of the team's players this evening at the second of a series of festive signing sessions.

Rhys Williams, Julio Arca and Connor Ripley will be at the town-centre MFC Store between 5-6pm to sign items of official merchandise and have their photos taken with supporters.