WITH a play-off place out of the question and relegation thankfully off the cards, Middlesbrough have little to play for today, but manager Tony Mowbray will demand his side end their season on a positive note, not least for their travelling supporters.

There is nothing at stake for Boro when they line up against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsbrough this lunchtime, but 1,500 fans are expected to travel to South Yorkshire to see their side for the final this season.

Only a few months ago those supporters could be forgiven for thinking this would not be their last outing of the campaign with a play-off place or better firmly in their sights, but a disastrous spell since the turn of the year means their dreams of a return to the Premier League will have to be put on hold once again.

If anything, today gives Boro a chance to at least sign off in style ahead of a difficult summer, but it also serves up the opportunity to end their abysmal away form.

The Teessiders last win away from the Riverside came on December 8 at Peterborough United and after a torrid time following their side, a result at Hillsborough would offer some comfort going into next season.

Unfortunately, though, they face a side with plenty to play for at the bottom of the table with Wednesday a point above the relegation places.

The Owls could stay up even if they lose today, but Dave Jones won't want his side to rely on other results going their way and will expect a performance spurred on by a crowd estimated to be over 38,000.

"I'm hearing there's 1,500 Boro fans going so there is a lot in it for us," insisted Mowbray. "We've got to make sure we give a good account of ourselves and keep some personal pride. December 8 is our last away win and that's unacceptable.

"We need to try and win our last game and give us as much confidence going into next year as we can. We won plenty of games away from the Riverside last year, so we are capable of winning lots of away games. We will try and start that process at Sheffield Wednesday.

"I think we have a responsibility to win the football match. We want to finish strongly and entice people to have some confidence in the team."

That could also affect Mowbray's team selection and despite having the opportunity to field a young side, the Boro boss is likely to start with a mix of experience and youth.

He said: "A team of young players going into a 30-odd thousand Hillsborough with a desperation to get a result and yet you could argue it's good experience for them, so we'll pick a team that is balanced and we'll go there and try to win.

"It's a good game for the last day of the season. We're playing against a team with a lot still to play for and we'll test ourselves and try to get a positive result for the supporters who travel from Teesside."

Mowbray has come in for some criticism from sections of supporters over the last few months and, although their away following has continued to turn out, attendances at the Riverside have been dwindling.

One game won't be make or break whether fans chose to come back next season and while he understands some may chose not to return, Mowbray insists he will continue to do the best job he can with limited resources.

"A lot of people have been very positive that I have spoke to. I'm also sure there's still an element out that are dissatisfied and yet the harsh reality of this league is there.

"I'm not going to sit here and tell people the issues and problems. If people don't want to come it's okay. For me, you support your team through thick and thin as I will until the day I die really, whatever I'm doing in my life.

"Football fans have choices. In today's world people have a lot more to do so if people want to go somewhere else on a Saturday afternoon rather than come and watch the team no problem.

"As a club we can only do the very very best we can with the resources and the players we've got and we'll try and be successful as we were for a good few months at the beginning of this season. We will try again next year."