But Gordon Strachan has seen Boro lose six of their last seven games in all competitions, and he knows only too well promotion hopes are slipping through his fingers.
He handed debuts to new signings Barry Robson, Willo Flood and Chris Killen, and vowed to make further changes to his squad.
Gordon Strachan: "It's a concern. Fortunately I've been about for a few years in this job.
"I think it wouldn't be great for a young manager in this position, but for somebody with a bit of experience.
"I do know what has to be done and I have to change it, it's not great fun, it's not nice, I wouldn't recommend it for anybody but you have to deal with it.
"Until the goal went in, which is something we're not happy with because we did warn not to turn your back on free-kicks, but until then I don't think Danny (Coyne) has had to make a save.
"It felt reasonably comfortable, I don't think there was a real problem in the game and the goal changed it a wee bit.
"We tried to go a bit wider and make the game a bit more stretched, but it didn't work for us."