GEORGE Boateng has admitted that pride, as well as three priceless points, is at stake when Middlesbrough make the short journey to Newcastle tomorrow night.
Last weekend's 4-0 win over West Brom improved Boro's chances of making next season's UEFA Cup but, with tricky trips to Liverpool and Manchester City still to come, the Teessiders can ill afford a slip-up at the home of one of their fiercest rivals.
Tomorrow's result could prove crucial to Boro's European hopes but, after suffering a succession of disappointments at the hands of the Magpies, Boateng also has other reasons to inflict further misery on Graeme Souness' side.
The Dutch international has played in five Tyne-Tees derbies. Boro have had their moments in all of them, but 2003's 1-0 win at the Riverside remains the only time he has tasted victory.
"We have a point to prove against Newcastle," said Boateng, who has helped to strengthen Boro's midfield since returning from a foot injury at the start of the month.
"We always play well - but we always lose. It is so frustrating that it is unbelievable.
"Last year, I remember being 1-0 up and they had not even had a shot on goal. Suddenly, we gave them two goals. Earlier in the season, we lost 1-0 and Massimo (Maccarone) hit the post in the 60th minute. If that had gone in, we would have won the game.
"I would settle for playing badly but winning this time around."
At the start of the season, both Boro and Newcastle expected to be involved in the race for Europe.
But, while Boro have managed to cling onto the coat-tails of the top seven, Newcastle have tumbled down the table since the turn of the year.
Graeme Souness' side have gone five league games without a win but, despite admitting he has been surprised by the Magpies' struggles, Boateng insists that they remain dangerous opponents.
"Although Newcastle are down below us, they would like to think they are still the better team," he said.
"It's great to be the best team in the area. But Newcastle have so many good players we can't take anything for granted.
"If they can turn the corner, they are capable of winning their last five games. That would take them into the top six or seven."
Ugo Ehiogu has sounded a similar warning, despite helping Middlesbrough's defence keep their ninth Premiership clean sheet of the season on Saturday.
The centre-half, who has made just seven appearances this term because of a long-standing knee problem, has grown used to seeing Newcastle finish above his side in the league table.
It is six years since Boro last finished as the top team in the North-East but they are currently 11 points ahead of their North-East rivals.
Ehiogu is taking nothing for granted though, and has told his team-mates they must deal with Newcastle's support as well as the club's players.
"The game will be a great test," said the former England international.
"They are going through some rough times, but that is often when teams are at their most dangerous.
"What we have to do is work the crowd against them. That's always important at Newcastle, and we have to stay solid at the back."
Read more about Middlesbrough here.
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