FORGET the lack of strikers through injury, Middlesbrough need to shape up defensively or the odds on relegation could shorten over the next few weeks.

With Chelsea next up for Boro after the international break, manager Gareth Southgate will know things have to improve at either end of the pitch.

The three goals conceded at the City of Manchester Stadium further highlighted that all is not going well at present for Southgate's men.

It is true that defence starts from the front and in asking 20-year-old Tom Craddock to lead the line on his own was effectively an invite to City to push on.

It would have been hard enough for Mido or Tuncay Sanli to have carried out such a role against centre-backs Micah Richards and Richard Dunne - let alone a young forward without a start in the Premier League.

But the evidence at Eastlands suggested there are more problems to rectify that just finding goals from somehwere.

Southgate, a former international defender, will be more than aware that there has been a worrying dip in form from his defence as a unit.

He needs Jonathan Woodgate to return to his solid ways quickly, so that he can command those around him like he was last season.

Chances are still being created, but if Middlesbrough can't prevent the opposition from scoring they are going to lose more than they will win this season. That in itself spells trouble.