ADAM Clayton admits Middlesbrough have only themselves to blame for losing at Norwich on a day of controversial refereeing decisions.

Boro were convinced they should have had a penalty moments before Teemu Pukki netted the game’s only goal at the other end.

Clayton also suggested referee Andy Davies should have dismissed Marco Stiepermann for the challenge that left the Boro man requiring stitches on a shin wound that makes him a doubt for Wednesday’s home game with Bolton.

But the midfielder was also clear about Middlesbrough’s overall performance: not as good as previous efforts this term and certainly not good enough on the day.

He said: “We started well enough and thought we could do what we do away from home - dig in, get a goal and go from there.

“We didn’t reach the standards that we have set so far. On a team level and on an individual level we weren’t quite at the races with the ball.

“I still don’t think we deserved to lose the game. I thought a lot of decisions went against us that I don’t think should have but that’s going to happen in football. It’s down to us - we need to put it right on Wednesday and get back to those standards.”

Clayton was able to pinpoint what had been missing most at Carrow Road.

“That first pass,” he said. “The gaffer keeps saying we have been brilliant, we have been solid and if we can get that transition and get our attacking play going then we will be some team in this league.

“So if we can get that first pass off and control games more instead of being behind the ball for as long as we are. If we dominate for long periods - that’s what we are going to work on and really go for.”

International breaks are often a bane for clubs who have already built up some momentum but Clayton was not prepared to use that as an excuse either.

“No, not at all,” he said. “We did exactly the same as what we normally do. We prepared in the exact same way and the gaffer left no stone unturned.

“It was just one of those days where we have not put it together but we have six out of the seven times so far this season.”