THE old adage might say that the ‘league table never lies’ – but Middlesbrough head coach Jonathan Woodgate is having none of it.

Boro find themselves in the Championship relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s trip to Derby County, having dropped into the bottom three in the wake of last weekend’s goalless draw with Fulham.

They have failed to win any of their last seven matches, and failed to score in their last three outings against West Brom, Huddersfield and Fulham, but Woodgate insists the bare statistics only tell half a story.

The Boro boss has watched his side fail to convert a succession of good chances, and feels a return of 12 points from 14 matches is an unfair reflection of the way his players have performed in the vast majority of their outings this season.

Woodgate said: “People talk about the league table, but it’s lying though. People say the league table tells the truth, but it’s not. It’s lying at the minute because we deserve to be higher than we are.

“We’ve had chances to score goals and missed opportunities and had refereeing decisions not go in our favour. But I’m absolutely positive it will turn.

“I’m really confident and positive. Other people might not be, people outside the football club, but the manager is confident and my players are confident it will turn sooner or later.”

Boro’s injury position remains unchanged ahead of their trip to Pride Park, with Darren Randolph and George Friend both expected to return after the international break.

Woodgate said: “George is nearly back into training – he’s currently doing the warm-ups at the start of the training sessions. Rudy (Gestede) will probably be another six weeks. Darren is getting there, I’m not sure exactly but you’re probably looking at two to three weeks for him. That’s it.”

Boro will be taking on a Derby side that are going through their own process of transition following the summer departure of Frank Lampard and the appointment of Phillipe Cocu as manager.

Like their weekend opponents, the Rams are also in the bottom half of the table, having won just three of their last 13 games in all competitions.

Woodgate said: “Will they be a bit disappointed with where they’re at? Maybe. They’ve had an off-field issue to deal with but they’re a good team.

“They went close last year under Frank Lampard. They’ve made a few changes and brought a few players in. You can’t write the script in the Championship. It’s a unique league and it’ll be a test for us again.”