STEVE AGNEW has admitted he didn’t see the manner of Saturday’s defeat at Bournemouth coming, although the last few days have assured him Middlesbrough are ready to bounce back against Sunderland.

The Black Cats travel to the Riverside Stadium tomorrow for a Tees-Wear derby which looks like occurring two more times next season – albeit in the Championship.

Both Middlesbrough and Sunderland will still need something of a sporting miracle to survive even if they win the game between the Premier League’s bottom two clubs.

Boro’s chances were rocked on Saturday when they turned in the most collectively calamitous performance of the campaign so far by losing 4-0 at Bournemouth.

Head coach Agnew has been back on the training ground with his players every day since and has been satisfied with the words exchanged as well as the attitude on the training pitch.

He said: “We were building up towards a win, that’s why I was disappointed on Saturday because I felt a performance was coming and that a win was coming. I didn’t see that defeat coming on Saturday. We have to bounce back.

“I don’t find it (the job) difficult, it’s challenging. That’s why I am in this position, I have every confidence in my own ability to lift the players and get a performance and result against Sunderland.

“If you look at any team that hasn’t won since December then confidence is in the balance. We have to work away and what I have seen since Sunday is they are determined to put on a show in a North-East derby.”

Middlesbrough will be without Gaston Ramirez due to the stupid red card he picked up at Bournemouth, while goalkeeper Victor Valdes is still nursing a rib problem. Midfielders Grant Leadbitter and Marten de Roon trained today after little problems.

Agnew said: “What I have seen in the last few days is a reaction, I am certain that’s what we will see tomorrow night. The reaction they have shown in training in the last couple of days, they are ready for a North-East derby.

“Initially the players were angry, disappointed, frustrated, but at moments like that it is more important to be open and honest about things on the Sunday, which was well received by the players and continued through to Tuesday.

“As I have said for weeks, we have created chances and we haven’t scored the goal I think we deserved. On Saturday that wasn’t the case. I’m looking forward to Sunderland, I think we are back on track and hopefully we can convert the chances.

“We continue to work and believe in what we are doing. I am very confident if we continue the work then the goals we will come.

“We have to win the game and three points is everything we need tomorrow night and that’s the target. The Riverside will have 30,000 Teessiders inside, a good following from Sunderland, so the passion and energy from the Middlesbrough fans will be there.

“We have to make sure we play on the front foot and give them something to shout about. They have been fantastic home and away and incredible.”

  •  Steve Agnew talks about his position, the future and Gaston Ramirez in tomorrow's The Northern Echo.