Aitor Karanka is enjoying the opportunity to work closely with his players on the training pitch as they prepare for the pivotal promotion run-in.
The frenzied Championship schedule meant Boro played 11 Championship games throughout February and March as well as the FA Cup clash at Arsenal.
And despite the fact Boro couldn't sign off for the international break on a high at Bournemouth on Saturday, Aitor Karanka welcomed the fixture-free fortnight with open arms.
"The international break is perfect to disappear," said the Boro head coach.
"We need to work together again."
The relentless Championship programme is bound to take its toll on sides.
Boro were without Daniel Ayala, Jonathan Woodgate and Ryan Fredericks at the Goldsands while Steve McClaren has spent the last fortnight patching up his injury-ravaged Derby side.
Despite Boro suffering the briefest of wobbles recently, they bounced back with vital victories over Ipswich and the Rams, leaving them just a point off top spot.
But it's still no easier to predict who will book a place in next season's top flight with just six points separating the top six sides.
"February was very, very tough," admitted Karanka.
"We had nine games and we lost a lot of points.
"Now we have two weeks to prepare for the last month and a half.
"I told you one and a half months ago that I thought it would be Bournemouth, Derby and us (battling for automatic promotion).
"Now it's six or seven teams."
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