MIDDLESBROUGH have come a long way in such a short pace of time under Chris Wilder on the Boro boss admitted he would be reflective of what’s gone so well after their recent loss to Bristol City.

Having taken over the team in 15th place in the Championship and holding slim hopes of producing a memorable season, Wilder has spearheaded a run of form which has seen the team lose just three times in their last 16 games in all competitions. As things stand, they are a point off the play-offs with games in hand on other teams around them.

Along the way, Boro have produced a memorable night in the FA Cup beating Manchester United on penalties to set up a fifth round tie against Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur.

It was always under Wilder’s remit to cast a microscopic eye over every part of the club to see where improvements can be made. Aside from the results on the pitch, the other changes we’ve seen are to personnel in the squad.

A series of incomings and outgoings have balanced the squad and made an impact on the teams.

Even though Boro had 21 attempts against Bristol City, they couldn’t find a way through as the lost 2-1 at Ashton Gate. With West Brom to come on Tuesday, they’ll be looking for an immediate response.

Wilder is confident that he’s getting the best out of his squad and speaks with pride as the teams form and current position in the table.

He said: “I’m quite reflective today. All the time, I’ll say what I think but I’m quite reflective in how far we’ve come.

“In a short period of time, we took over and we’ve had an immediate effect which you want. But it hasn’t just been an immediate effect and a new manager bounce. It’s been good.

“Maybe we should realise that we are getting absolute maximum out of this group. It needs work on the training ground and through windows which I’ve said.

“We brought three players in along with young Caolan. There will be players that stay on the journey and there will be players that will drop away from it. That will only happen through two or three windows to get it to where I really want it to look.

“I can’t be too critical of the players attitude. Even today, they gave everything. There is stuff that we would like to do but with the way the window is, we have to get on and work with the group and to be fair the group have been great and spot on. But I’m hungry for success.

“I want to drive the club and the group forward. Sometimes I need to take a step back and say you know, they’ve come a long way.

“I don’t enjoy that because we are going to get on a bus tonight and we want three points, be in the mix and be higher. We feel it’s missed opportunity but sometimes you have to reflect and go again. I’m sure we will on Tuesday.”

Riley McGree will start the game tomorrow night against the Baggies for the suspended Matt Crooks.

Boro’s top scorer is suspended for West Brom and Barnsley this weekend after picking up his tenth yellow card of the season.