Steve McClaren believes Boro should go on and clinch promotion back to the Premier League after beating his Derby County side 1-0 at the iPro Stadium.
Patrick Bamford came back to haunt his former club with the winner, and the result leaves the Rams without a victory in five matches.
The result means Boro completed a league double over Derby, and the Teessiders now sit second behind Watford on goal difference, and five points clear of McClaren's side.
After falling to the Teessiders, ex-manager McClaren admitted he expects Boro to go on and clinch promotion after the morale-boosting victory.
"That's what (Patrick) is capable of doing and when you look, that was the difference between the two sides.
Action Images / Lee Smith
"That's what we didn't have. We've had it for the majority of the season but we haven't got it at the minute. We need that to win games.
"Of course, Boro should now (go and clinch promotion).
"It will be an interesting game at Bournemouth (on Saturday) but everyone has tough games to go.
"When you look at the fixtures, there'll be plenty more twists and turns and we have to make sure we perform against Wolves (on Friday).
"There's nothing to panic about, we have to stay calm. The goal is always the top six - either automatic or play-offs - and that's how we've viewed it all season."
In the so-called "Week of Destiny", Boro now have six points from six after also beating Ipswich 4-1 at the Riverside on Saturday.
It was a very different game against the Rams with the hosts shading much of the possession and territory, but it was Boro who packed the heavier punch in the final third.
Jelle Vossen came within an inch of putting Boro in front in the first half, with his 40-yard effort hitting the post and boucning into the hands of Derby keeper Lee Grant.
But it was Bamford who will grab the headlines - in a match McClaren believes was pretty even throughout.
"It was a disappointing result. It was always going to be a one-goal game, they defended very well but I couldn't ask any more of the players," McClaren added.
"We just lacked that final cutting edge in the final third. They had the one quality moment in the box and you lose a game on that, but I can't fault the players.
" I think on Saturday and today they've been magnificent but I think everyone including the fans is suffering at the moment.
"Things aren't going for us in a lot of ways but this is a test of the team, a test of our character and with eight games to go there's everything to play for. There'll be plenty more twists and turns, don't worry about that."
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