Billy Davies: "I've said for weeks and weeks that I have been pleased with the attitude and spirit of the players and the general fitness of the side.
"That was evident again and Middlesbrough are a top team who have been working together for a long time, and that's what we need with this team.
"We need time to get over these consecutive games, time to get one or two guys back from injury and time to work with individuals on certain things and if we can do that we will get better.
"I've been proud of the players' performances since the start of the season - the Watford game here last week aside.
"It will be nice to get to the international break and rest these guys. Some of them have played nine games in a month and that is way too much."