HE might have opened up with a five-match winless run as head coach, yet Steve Agnew is even more adamant he can succeed in frontline management ahead of a crucial five days for Middlesbrough.

Boro remain deep in relegation trouble ahead of a trip to Bournemouth and everyone connected with the club realises the importance of today’s game and the visit of bottom team Sunderland on Wednesday.

There have been attacking improvements under Agnew but ultimately they have still failed to record the win that would have boosted the survival chances following Aitor Karanka’s departure.

There will still be four matches remaining after these next two fixtures - albeit against Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton and Liverpool – and only when Boro's fate has been decided will there be firm discussions about next season.

Agnew believes he is up to the job beyond the summer, regardless of the division, and a frustrating run of results to start with has only convinced him further he is suited to being the main man.

Asked if he is still confident in his ability to be a manager, he said: “Yes absolutely. Probably more confident.”

Before adding: “I think with the players, they've been terrific. Anything that we've shown them, that we've worked on and we've been pleased with the response.

“I think you learn about yourself every day, especially this situation (press), but I think more than anything there has been a response and it's not for the want of trying, they have put everything into it and that's what I've learned from myself.

“Whatever we've done there's been a response and I'm sure there'll continue to be a response and hopefully that gets us the three points that we need.”

Chairman Steve Gibson effectively told Agnew to get on with the task of keeping Middlesbrough up when the decision was made to part-company with Karanka.

He will have had 11 matches in charge at the end of the campaign and Agnew and preserving top-flight status is the aim.

Agnew does not want to consider whether the run-in will determine his own fate. He said: “I don't think it's about my situation, it's about the club and we know exactly where we are and exactly what we need to do.

"It’s not a case of being drawn on it (future). It's just my focus is all on Bournemouth. That's where I am with it.”

Agnew took over when Borohad already slid into the relegation zone and confidence was at its lowest ebb, with the prospect of playing in the Championship again next season looking more likely.

He would still have expected to have delivered a first league win in 2017 before these two significant matches in the fight for Premier League survival.

Agnew said: "No. I'd agree with that and I couldn't see that winless run coming, it's been a surprise, it's happened but we're looking forward now. We have to remain positive and look forward to Bournemouth.

"It's the focus we need to show now, there's a positivity around these staff and players that will give us every chance to retain Premier League status.

"We're all in the business to win football matches. We've not won enough. Have we got enough games left to gain enough points? Yes we have. The target for now is just three points from Bournemouth.”

Bournemouth have a healthy seven point cushion over the relegation zone, while there is a further four points to second from bottom Middlesbrough ahead of today’s meeting.

Agnew, who is without Victor Valdes and Grant Leadbitter through injury, does not want to consider the Cherries as relegation rivals, but has praised Eddie Howe for the incredible job he has done at the Hampshire outfit.

He said: "They have 35 points but that's not a concern for me. Let's see where we all are at 5pm. In a fast-working environment like football there are lots of changes. The pressure on results is what we all understand.

“We've seen their club grow with a very good coach and support and obviously players in the squad that have come from a certain level of football and that continuity has created this spirit and given them success.”

And the focus is achieving the performance that delivers three points to increase the excitement and drama at the end of the pretty disappointing first season back in the top tier.

Agnew said: "You have to entertain the paying customers, what's why they pay their hard-earned money, to be entertained and that's the business we're in. Entertainment for us at the moment is winning the next match.

“If we can achieve that we can enjoy the weekend. We have to win, and we'll be going down there to win the game. Confidence is one thing, and belief, that comes from winning games. We have not won a game in 2017.

“They have all been big weeks over this period for us, of course it is big week and a massive game, but you have to enjoy it. That’s the only way I know, that’s what the players and staff know and we are all relishing the game on Saturday.”