JONATHAN WOODGATE is still enjoying the challenge of leading Middlesbrough and is confident the results will come.

He described Tuesday’s draw at home to play-off occupants Preston North End as “stopping the rot” but Boro will head in to Friday night’s trip to Birmingham City sitting in 20th position and in need of a third win under his guidance.

Woodgate is still smiling and staying positive about Middlesbrough’s chances of turning things around even though he is keen to deliver points rather than the level of performances he would like at this stage.

“The table hasn’t settled down yet, there’s a long way to go,” said Woodgate. “If you string a few wins together, confidence will come. It’s not how you start it is how you finish.

“We will have had three games in six days, so you have to solider on. It is relentless. Most of the time you are at training ground. You see kids and family. I don’t really go anywhere else. Home football, home football. The missus is the boss.

“I am really enjoying it. Results haven’t been perfect. It is the best job and I love what I am doing. A few more victories would make it a lot better. You rely on the coaching staff as well, that’s big for me to give me the right advice at the right time.

“Sometimes you need to get results. At the minute we need them. It can’t always be nice and pretty and you have to graft at times. We will do that on Friday.”

Woodgate has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to St Andrew’s knowing Birmingham have lost their last three. He is likely to stick with the same team that started against Preston, meaning Marcus Tavernier and Marcus Browne will provided the width down the flanks again.

He said: “We would like to win the game. I thought the Preston performance was miles better than Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday. The response was very good.

“Preston were top scorers in the league, sitting fourth, they are a good team and unbeaten since August. We wanted a result and we got one. We want to win games. We aren’t doing that at the moment.

“it’s typical Championship. Games come thick and fast. Not ideal but the payers are up for it. I liked Tuesday night’s game but it was still not perfect because we need wins on the board.

“it’s not how you start it is how you finish. I chatted to Alex Neil (Preston boss) after the game. He said last year they had five points after ten games and it was difficult but it is important you ride it out and stick together, stay together as a club. Fans stay together and remain patient. That’s what you need.”