JONATHAN WOODGATE insists that Middlesbrough will climb out of relegation trouble if they can match aspects of the performance against West Bromwich Albion which left them pointless.

Boro are just a point above the bottom three ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Huddersfield, who sit below them, when Woodgate will be looking for his team to avoid dropping below the second tier’s danger line for the first time since Christmas 2010.

West Brom, the league leaders, managed to leave with maximum points after Hal Robson-Kanu emerged from the bench to bundle in the winner with eight minutes from time. That arrived after Darren Randolph had got down low to deny Kyle Edwards from scoring.

But Woodgate was far happier with his side’s performance, knowing how his team, playing in a new shape with wing-backs and a diamond midfield, had the chances to have scored a few times before the winner arrived at the other end.

The Middlesbrough boss said: “I thought we played really well. I thought we created the best chances. Their keeper played well. I can’t remember a save Darren had to make really.

“OK, they dominated possession but they're a really good team who will go up this season. We created the best chances of the game but failed to put it in the back of the game.

“What I’ve said to the players in the dressing room is keep your heads up. Stay positive like I am because if we play like that well win games of football. No chins on the floor. I want to see you all upbeat and we go again tomorrow.

“At the minute, we're down there but we're six points off 12th. Put a few wins together and you soon shoot up the table. That's how I look at things. Put a few wins together and you'll climb the league.

“It’s difficult but you've got to stay positive. I'm the manager and will remain positive. If you play like that, we will win games.”

West Brom boss Slaven Bilic has sympathy for Woodgate, whose side have won just two of their opening 12 league game under him.

Bilic, whose side have lost just once this season, said “It is pressure up there. Of course, it is a positive pressure. That is why we played, trained, from the end of June. That’s why, to try to win games.

“The more you win the closer you will be to the top of the table and add to the pressure. This is a totally different pressure to fighting for your life … this is enjoying. Definitely.

“Middlesbrough are there at the moment. I strongly believe in them having two legends of the pitch in Jonathan and Robbie [Keane, assistant manager], they are warriors. They have done everything in their life. They have a good team.

“Middlesbrough are not confident and what they all need is a couple of wins. That’s not easy. They are fighting hard and they gave us a hard game. If they continue then they will be out of trouble very soon and I have no doubt they will do it.

“Make no mistake, we knew what kind of game we expected, and it was the one we didn’t want. We were ready for that. They defended in numbers but with more quality and quantity of attacks, then sooner or later you will get good opportunities. That is exactly what happened.”