JONATHAN WOODGATE is prepared to take the flak from his hometown in a bid to deliver greater times back to Middlesbrough.

The Boro head coach has overseen two victories over non-league Gateshead and Hartlepool since witnessing defeat in his opening match in charge against Grazer AK.

Middlesbrough will play a fourth match against FC Heidenheim this afternoon and he is looking for the recent good performances to continue with the season opener at Luton Town approaching.

Woodgate is preaching repetition of his methods in his bid to get the message across to his players and he is determined to make sure Middlesbrough become a more attractive team to watch by playing out from the back and pressing.

The managerial rookie, though, admits there will be pressure from the stands when things don’t appear to be going well, but he will stay strong in his attempt to turn the club’s fortunes around.

“It’s a work-in progress,” said Woodgate. “We want to play the ball from the back, through the thirds, with intensity, we want to play with a vibrant team that is going to win games and score goal after goal.

“We know that won’t be easy. We have another game in Germany on Saturday and we will look to win that again.”

Woodgate is sure he can handle the pressure from the Teesside faithful when it comes around, knowing his roots are in the area and he is likely to hear every criticism.

“I will come under pressure at times. The pressure will come on if we get beat a couple of games,” he said. “I wouldn’t be doing it if I wasn’t sure in the way I want to play, as you have seen in pre-season.

“We need to do that in the league games. There are times when players have to recognise you can’t do it and I expect them to change to suit.

“I know I was getting a lot of stick, until people hear the way you talk and what you want and you will get that. With me it will be a different style of football to how others have wanted. We will stick by it, it will be different. If we lose a few we will lose a few.”