MIDDLESBROUGH manager Chris Wilder has warned his players of complacency and urged them to be at ‘full tilt’ against an out of form Reading side this afternoon.

Boro go into the game off the back of a five-match winning run in all competition. Reading on the other hand have recently suffered a shock defeat to National League North Kiddersminster Harriers in the FA Cup and a 7-0  hammering against Fulham in midweek.

The Teessider’s form has seen an upward curve under Wilder with the manager losing just one game so far since taking over in November as he spearheads the club into promotion contention.

A win against the Royals this afternoon on home soil could see them climb into the Championship play-offs if results go their way. Although the fans will back them to win the game, the manager insists the Royals have big talents at their disposal.  

Asked about the fans expectations, Wilder said: “I want them to every time they turn up. I want them to come and expect us to do well and to win but I think we all know the dangers of football.

“The dangers of arrogance and complacency, not just from the players, but supporters as well. They understand.

“It’s been a tough period for our football club over the last four or five years. It’s been quite a lot of downs as well as the occasional ups and we’ve showed we are on an upward curve but I’m definitely not taking anything for granted.

“I believe if that Reading bring their A-game to the Riverside on Saturday, if you look at the top of the pitch, Andy Carroll, Junior Hoillett, John Swift who is an outstanding player especially in the first part of the season. Danny Drinkwater.

“They’ve got some talented footballers that on their day can turn it on. If we’re off it by any little bit, we’ll get hurt.

“I don’t want us to get hurt. I want us to continue to momentum and a crowd to fully back us so the crowd have got to be patient as well and be with us because this isn’t a straightforward game.”

All the noises surrounding Boro’s form coupled with Reading’s relegation battle suggests a result is likely for Wilder’s side but the manager has been quick to remind his players of the dangers of complacency.

He added: “There will be days we are expected to win because of people like the media chucking 7-0’s at us and beaten by a non-league team. There is always another game for them to turn it around and they’ll be looking at the game on Saturday to kick-start their season.

“All the messages from me over the last 24 or 48 hours is that we’ve got to be right at it. We’re not good enough to turn up and be arrogant. If we turn up today and dip our toe in and maybe not make that tackle, try and shortcut stuff then we are going to get hurt.

“If we are at full tilt and we play in the manner that we play in like we have over the passed four to six weeks at home with a passionate support behind us, we give ourselves a good chance of getting a result but only if we are at full tilt and that’s the message from myself to the players.”

Elsewhere, Onel Hernandez has left the club after his loan spell was cut short to pave the way for a move to Birmingham City.

The Cuban winger made 18 appearances in a Boro shirt and scored one goal which came in their 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest back in September.