Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka stated it has been an "amazing season" for his side, despite missing out on an automatic promotion from the Sky Bet Championship. Boro finished in fourth place, securing a two-legged play-off semi-final fixture up against Brentford.
Karanka had this to say: "It's not important who we play against in the play-off's, but we need to improve because the last few performances weren't good. We were expecting an amazing game with the fans behind us. We have another game at home to thank our fans for this season - we have to prepare as well as we can. It's not a worry - it's frustrating for me. I always want more."
On their promotion hopes, and Brentford: "It's been an amazing season and we can't forget now; we have to prepare well and be more together than ever to go into the play-off's in a positive way. Promotion is in our hands. We've beaten Brentford twice, but this is different. We can't think we're better than them or go in over-confident. We've got to forget the 46 games and concentrate on the next two. It's a big surprise about Derby not getting in and a very good thing for us. It shows how difficult this league is."
Star striker Patrick Bamford was missing from their 0-0 draw with Brighton in the final day, with a slight injury knock. The loanee forward from Chelsea has scored 19 goals in the 2014-15 campaign, but his temporary boss hopes he'll be fit to face the Londoners in the play-off. "I hope Patrick's okay for the first play-off game and I hope he can play. I didn't want to risk him today."