Middlesbrough v Portsmouth: Return to Riverside gives Strachan breathing space

Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan is hoping he has found the solution to his side's problems on the road this season after identifying poor concentration as the fundamental reason for their shocking form away from the Riverside.

Boro take on Portsmouth at home today, aiming for a fourth win in five npower Championship matches in Teesside but it is their away form which has occupied most of Strachan's time this week.

Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at Derby meant they had taken just one point from five away matches to sit 19th in the table, with only Pompey, who have played a game less on their travels, having a worse away record.

Strachan, whose side were tipped as one of the real promotion contenders, said: "Concentration is a problem and something fundamental that I'd like to sort out.

"But I've got an idea what might help. 'Something fundamental' could mean the shape of the team, the way you take or defend set-pieces or something that in training we've allowed to slip. They are the fundamentals I'm talking about. What's not wrong is the players' willingness to work hard and their honesty and I think as a fan, that's what you like to see.

"I like playing at the Riverside, we've done not too badly there. But I would like to sort this away form out. I go to away games thinking, 'Yes, we'll win today' and that's not bravado, I see the players and they're working hard.

"But if you don't win away games, a lot more pressure goes on your home games.

"At the moment we seem to get spooked when we concede a goal away from home. I have my theories as to why that is but it's about individual characters. There's not one bad character among the squad, I wouldn't swap them."

Boro face a Portsmouth side boosted by back-to-back wins at Fratton Park which have lifted them off the bottom.

"Since we've been back from the international break, it's been pleasing," said Pompey chief Steve Cotterill. "I know all the results haven't gone our way, but against Ipswich, Palace, Sheffield United, Leicester and Bristol City, the performances have been excellent.

"But we won't be taking anything for granted because we've won two games. We've got our feet on the floor and we're looking forward to the match at Middlesbrough."

Cotterill has Richard Hughes back from a two-match ban.