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  1. How are Boro fans feeling about promotion race?published at 11:23 BST

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    It's been quite a few days on Teesside.

    Boro's last-gasp defeat by lowly Portsmouth dealt their automatic promotion hopes a huge blow on Saturday as Ipswich capitalised to take over second place.

    However, the Tractor Boys also lost to Pompey on Tuesday night, though their south coast rivals Southampton kept up their winning streak to climb into fourth, above Kim Hellberg's side on goal difference.

    Just three points separate four teams in the battle for second but Boro head to Portman Road for a crunch match on Sunday (12:00 BST) while Ipswich also visit Southampton during the run-in.

    So how are you feeling, Boro fans? Has this run of three points from six games blown your chances, or is the door still open to get things right in the final four games? And does the final-day trip to Wrexham make you fear for even a top-six finish with the way things are going?

    Click here to have your say.

  2. Hellberg says Boro fell short against Portsmouthpublished at 20:35 BST 11 April

    Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg scratches his head as he tries to work out what has gone wrong with his team.Image source, Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Dejected Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg.

    Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg admitted the Teessiders were not good enough after they suffered a late, shock defeat to Portsmouth.

    Conor Chaplin scored in the 97th minute with Portsmouth's only shot on target to stretch Middlesbrough's winless run to six games.

    Ipswich have marched clear in the race for the second automatic promotion place and Hellberg admits they were poor.

    "We were not good enough," he told BBC Radio Tees. "We lacked energy, quality and structure.

    "That is different from other games. Sometimes we played well without the result. Today we were not good enough except defensively. It makes you flat and disappointed.

    "We didn't have our best game. We played three in a week, some games are better than others. We didn't defend the second phase of the corner well enough. That has been a theme of the home games.

    "Six in a row without a win from a team that plays good football. That is not a feeling you want, we are trying to make it right but we are not succeeding. That is my responsibility."

  3. 'The supporters have been brilliant' - Hellbergpublished at 15:51 BST 10 April

    Media caption,

    Hellberg: Boro 'have to win' against Portsmouth

    Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg said he is feeling plenty of positivity from the club's supporters despite a five-game winless run which has led to them dropping out of the Championship's automatic promotion places.

    Boro were beaten 2-1 at home by promotion rivals Millwall on Good Friday, before needing Tommy Conway to convert from the penalty spot to claim a 2-2 draw at Swansea on Monday.

    "The supporters I have met have been brilliant, so proud of the team, proud of how we play, and they have been so supportive," Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees.

    "Overall, it might sound weird, but what I get from everyone is a lot of affection for how we play, how we act, how the team has created opportunities. And mainly the last thing everyone says is it has to turn and that's where you still believe, but you have to make it turn, and that's what we're trying to do."

    Middlesbrough host Portsmouth on Saturday (15:00 BST) and the head coach only has his sights on one thing.

    "It's all about winning the game, that's the most important thing," he said.

    "With different players out, quality players out, different players in different positions, without the momentum of winning games, we have kept playing great football and creating opportunities and we have to take great belief out of that."

    Listen to more Middlesbrough interviews and content on BBC Sounds.

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