AITOR KARANKA wants Middlesbrough’s players to concentrate on this season’s positives rather than dwell on the disappointment of losing another game to a promotion rival.

The defeat at leaders Hull City nine days ago prevented Boro from climbing to the top of the Championship, which brought back memories of a failure to often win crucial games last time around.

And in the end failing to come away with at least a point at Watford and Bournemouth – the sides who ended up in the top two – proved costly.

But there has been a determination not to reflect during this international break and the focus has been on ensuring they return to winning ways against Queens Park Rangers at the Riverside on Friday.

"There's positives but it's hard to remain upbeat after a result like that,” said defender George Friend. “But hopefully if we beat QPR then we'll be back on a positive. "You can't ever say one game is a 'make or break' - so now we just need to move on (and forget about the Hull defeat).”

Even though there is a belief that Boro's new-look side is yet to click consistently this season, they still sit fourth and only four points off top spot.

But with the likes of Hull, Burnley and Derby really starting to find an extra gear, they cannot afford too many more slip-ups if Karanka’s target of an automatic promotion spot is to be fulfilled.

Friend, however, believes the signs are good. The left-back said: “I was looking forward to having a break with my family after the Hull game and then getting back on it after the international break.

“There's loads of positives this season, the new players have settled and gelled in well.

"The lads have been brought in to attack and they've been scoring goals and taking chances, likewise those at the back have done well too.

"People like Adam Clayton have shown their mettle and their steel this season and improved, he's one of many players.”

Eight days after QPR, Boto travel to Huddersfield, who have fallen away after a bright start to the season and sacked Chris Powell, months after signing Dean Whitehead from the Riverside as a free agent.

Huddersfield have appointed Jurgen Klopp’s best friend David Wagner, and Whitehead is seeing similarities between Wagner’s arrival at the John Smith’s Stadium to when Karanka moved in to replace Tony Mowbray two years ago.

Whitehead, who played for Boro in May’s play-off final defeat to Norwich, said: “The head coach has brought new ideas and practices.

“The intensity level of training has gone through the roof, and the lads are buying into it. I saw Aitor Karanka pretty much transform Middlesbrough, and I think the same can happen here.

“It won’t be an overnight process, but I think we have the personnel to play the way we’re asked. We have an exciting opportunity and push forward.”