MIDDLESBROUGH full-back Curtis Fleming has revealed how the mean streak behind the beguiling smile of Terry Venables has helped launch a Riverside revival.

Boro have picked up seven points from three games - and kept clean sheets - since Venables took total charge of the first team.

The unbeaten sequence, after a disastrous run of nine defeats in ten games, has lifted the Teessiders off the bottom and offered real hope that relegation can be avoided.

Head coach Venables has brought the best out of a squad which was on its knees under manager Bryan Robson.

But the long-serving Fleming, who has spent over nine years with the club, yesterday stressed that happy-go-lucky Venables can play the tough guy when needed.

"He grabs everyone individually and he knows what he wants,'' said the Republic of Ireland player.

"You have to play his way or you're out of the team. You can see the difference in the team now. Everyone knows they have to work hard to get into the side.

"He asks you to perform a particular role and if you do it, then fine.

"If not, he'll get someone else who will. He's tough. He wouldn't have gone this far in management if he wasn't.

"He smiles in public but coaches have tough decisions to make and he will make them here.

"He's had to deal with world-class players at Barcelona and with England. He's had to tell them if they're not playing and he'll do that here.''

Venables today faces a possible selection dilemma over striker Alen Boksic.

The Croatian, plagued by injuries in his first season with Boro, is doubtful with flu and Venables is reluctant to risk him in the crucial home game against fellow strugglers Coventry.

Boksic has played only 150 minutes' football in the past five weeks and Venables explained: "I don't try to get players to play if they're not fit, unless we've got a real emergency, and I don't think that's the situation.

"He's been out for a long time and come straight back into the starting line-up in the last two games, which isn't easy.

"We've had suspensions and injuries and we needed him to do a job, even though he wasn't 100 per cent.''

Venables' frontline worries are eased by the return of Colombian Hamilton Ricard after a three-match ban.

Midfielder Robbie Mustoe could also be in contention following a virus and back trouble.

Venables admits that today's game is a "six-pointer'' in the context of the relegation dogfight.

Boro have beaten glamour sides Chelsea and Liverpool in their last two home matches, but Venables knows Gordon Strachan's Sky Blues, fresh from a 2-1 win at Everton, pose a new challenge.

"It'll be a different type of game - and a difficult one as well,'' he conceded.

"But I've seen enough to know that when our backs are against the wall, we can handle it.

"We've had three clean sheets, which is very pleasing. We hadn't had any and it was something we had to sort out.

"When I work with the first team the reserves are with us most of the time. If they get drawn into what I'm doing, then everyone will know what they're supposed to do.

"There isn't time for me to work with the first team and the younger players separately because we're right in the middle of the season.''

Venables is delighted with the way his role is panning out.

"Bryan is the manager of the club who deals with the teams at all levels and I'm involved with the first team,'' said Venables.

"Things are working fine. While the results are good, the atmosphere will be good and we've got to maintain that.

"I'm enjoying the job as much, if not more, than I thought I would.''

Meanwhile, Gary Pallister has been ruled out for a further two months after undergoing back surgery