Karanka says increased Boro gates make big difference: 'It's better for us and worse for teams playing us'

Aitor Karanka says the Boro supporters are the team’s 12th man.

Speaking after confirmation of the club’s ‘early bird’ season card prices for 2015/16, he admitted he’s been staggered by the backing Boro get home and away.

“I want to praise them every single moment,” he said.

“Everyday I say they are very important for us because although we lost against Leeds there were 25,000 supporters in the stadium and when they back us it is incredible.

“The team is doing really well and we need their support but we know they are with us always.”

Boro’s home attendances are steadily increasing following the teams’ climb into the automatic promotion places.

The Boxing Day clash with Nottingham Forest was sold out and Saturday’s derby against Leeds was watched by the second highest home crowd of the season.

Karanka reckons the increased gates make a big difference.

“It’s better for us and worse for the teams that are playing us,” he said.

“In Spain we say the crowd is the 12th player.”

Karanka believes English and Spanish fans are similar in terms of attending home games but has noticed a huge difference when it comes to travelling supporters.

“The difference is the away games” he explained. “At home, whether it’s Middlesbrough or Real Madrid or Barcelona or Chelsea, when the team is doing well the crowd backs the team.

“But the away crowds here have surprised me. When we have played Blackburn there was 7,000, but more than that, when we have played three or four hours away from home in a midweek game (the away support) is the best surprise and another incentive for us.”

Season tickets can be bought now by visiting www.mfc.co.uk , phoning 0844 4991234 or by completing an application form and handing it in at Riverside ticket office. Early bird prices are available until April 2.