STEVE McClaren believes his players have "got the bit between their teeth" in their quest to bring European football back to the Riverside.

With confidence running high in the camp following the 4-0 drubbing of relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion, the Middlesbrough boss believes the side has turned the corner after a lacklustre run of form since Christmas.

Now sitting pretty in seventh place, the final European spot, Boro have 48 points, one ahead of Spurs, who play Arsenal tonight.

The North-East derby against Newcastle at St James' Park is next up on Wednesday, followed by games against Liverpool (a), Spurs (h) and finally Manchester City (a).

After a poor performance in the previous outing against Fulham, a game in which a disputed Bolo Zenden penalty secured a point late on, McClaren said only three points would do on Saturday.

"There was a lot of pressure on the team. It was a must-win game and they handled it very well and won in the end emphatically," he said.

"It was a great response after what many people called a disappointment on Tuesday but could prove to be a very, very valuable point that we got.

"We needed to follow it up with a win and the manner in which we won was most pleasing."

Two wins and a draw is the target set by McClaren as the season reaches its climax.

"I think you have to gather momentum at this stage of the season. Many people were saying that in the last 13 games we were so-and-so but when we look at the last four games we have played we have collected seven points," he said.

"We have got another four games to go. If we can collect another seven points that puts us in with a very good chance of qualifying for Europe, which is our main aim."

Boro have been blighted by injuries since the festive period and Colin Cooper was added to the list of walking wounded on Saturday, the defender having to be replaced after 37 minutes.

"We have had many injuries which have been the main problem since Christmas and we still have.

"But the attitude of the present set of players in the last four games has been excellent and we have really got the bit between our teeth and really want to go on, finish the job and qualify for Europe," said a bullish McClaren.

For former Boro boss, Bryan Robson, Saturday's return to Teesside began well with a rapturous ovation from the Boro fans who prefer to remember the good times under the ex-England captain and not the bad.

The day ended dismally but Robson was delighted with the fans' ovation.

"In fairness I didn't really think it would be anything different," said Robson. "I had seven good years here and I thought the fans would be fine."

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