FLAK has been flying at Middlesbrough after a disappointing run of results saw the team slide down to mid-table, though manager Garry Monk is happy to be the subject of fans’ ire if it means his players are out of the firing line.

Tuesday’s League Cup defeat at Bournemouth made it six matches in all competitions without victory for Boro, who are now 13th in the Championship ahead of back-to-back away games.

Tomorrow Monk’s men at are Reading and then travel to Hull City on Tuesday, before returning to the Riverside return against Sunderland, three games against teams currently in the bottom half of the table before another international break.

Victories are needed to not only improve Boro’s league position, but to lift morale too and while Tuesday’s showing was deemed to be an improvement, Monk admits recent performances have largely not been good enough, therefore acknowledges that criticism has been justified.

“There’s no hiding from it, it’s been a difficult period for us. We haven’t performed at the levels we’re capable of and we haven’t got the results we wanted,” said the manager.

“Myself more than anyone understands the criticism that we’ve received and it’s been quite rightly so in some respects.

“But we’re determined to put it right. We know what we’re capable of. We know that we haven’t reached the levels we’re capable of in the recent period “The key to that is the hard work we’re doing and staying committed to it.

“It’s never a case of doubting the commitment of the players, the effort is there, we just haven’t hit the heights we need to hit, but we’re determined to do it.

“In recent games we haven’t performed at the levels that we want and we haven’t got the results that we wanted and with that comes criticism because of the expectation and quite rightly so.

“The key is, any criticism I’m happy to take it myself. I’ve had pressure and criticism all my career, playing and managing, and I’m happy to take that.

“What’s key is that we support the team, and give everything to that team, which are our fans do. They give amazing support home and away.

“Tuesday night typified it with the amount of support we took down, there support was massive and that’s going to be vital.

“No matter what happens, no matter what results we get, the ups and downs, it’s important we stick together any criticism direct my way, I’ve got broad shoulders.”

His stuttering Riverside reign saw boos after last Saturday’s game, a home defeat to Cardiff City, the result leaving Middlesbrough closer to the relegation positions than automatic promotion.

“There’s been some frustration from fans after games, quite rightly so because we haven’t performed and go the results we all expect and want,” added Monk.

“I’m not a big reader of media if I’m honest, but you heard one or two things, and that’s just part of it [football].

“My career I’ve dealt with pressure and criticism, it’s not big thing for me. It makes me determined to make sure people do see what we’re doing.

“There’s nobody more passionate about working for this club and wanting this team to be successful than myself.”

Though now into his third managerial job, following spells at Swansea and Leeds, at 38-years-old Monk remains one of the game’s younger managers, but dismissed the suggestion that he is still improving in the position.

He said: “That doesn’t count, it doesn’t mean anything to those who want the club to be successful. They want the results and I understand all of that, so it’s not about me.

“It’s about my determination and passion for these players and this club, and wanting them to be successful, driving them on to be successful, and that’s what you’ll get from me and my staff 100 per cent.”

Reading are 20th with three wins from 12 league games representing a poor start to the season for a team which reached the play-off final last season.

Monk expects Jaap Stam’s team to provide a stern test, but wants to see his maintain the levels of performance achieved against Bournemouth.

“It’s a difficult game against a very good side. They had an excellent season last year, they’ve still got the same squad there,” said the Boro boss.

“But it’s really about us right now and what we want to do. Tuesday was encouraging, a lot of that performance was more like ourselves, more at the level we want to play to.

“We were playing against a Premier League side at their ground and we want to take that into these games and come out fighting.

“Everybody is committed to what we’re doing and I think it is important that we show that in these coming games before the international break.”