Steve Clarke: 'Boro are a good team but we have nothing to fear'

A rejuvenated Reading have “nothing to fear” against Boro tomorrow, according to new boss Steve Clarke.

The former West Brom manager took over at the Madejski Stadium last month after a dismal start to the season under Nigel Adkins.

The Royals, who beat Boro 1-0 at the Riverside back in August, have since improved under Clarke and are now targeting a third straight win tomorrow.

Clarke admitted Aitor Karanka’s side are “one of the better teams in the division” but insists his players hope to make Boro’s trip to Berkshire a miserable one.

“They’re a good team and they’ve been in the top six for most of the season,” Clarke told the Reading Chronicle.

“But we’ve beaten them already this season and we’ve got nothing to be afraid of.

“We’re trying to match those teams at the top because that’s where we feel we should be.

“The progression in terms of our results is quite good. The performances over the four games has been quite steady and I think we can get better.

“It won’t happen overnight but over a period of time I think the way we work, and the way the players take on board how we work, means we can improve quicker.

“They’re a difficult opponent but we feel we’re slowly improving. We’re looking to go out Saturday and give a good account of ourselves against one of the better teams in the division, and get another win.”

Boro will be keen to get back to Championship business tomorrow with leaders Bournemouth five points ahead of the Teessiders at the top of the table.

Middlesbrough v Reading at the Riverside stadium, Middlesbrough. Lee Tomlin goes down in the box

Karanka admitted he is well aware of Clarke’s credentials as a manager, with Reading’s new manager having previously worked with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

“Sometimes results improve when a team changes manager and I think with Steve at Reading they are improving,” Karanka told the club’s website.

“Jose told me about Steve when we worked together in Madrid and said he is a very good manager, a very good person and he’s doing well.

“I know it’s difficult for him but the team is now more organised now and it’s going to be a difficult game for us.

“Reading have already beat us at the Riverside this season and we lost at their ground last season.

“They’re a team we have struggled to win against lately. We want and need to beat them.”