THERE was a day just after Christmas when Steve McClaren spoke of his determination to ensure Middlesbrough would do everything in their power to shrug off a half season wonder tag.

The few months that had gone before, as Boro climbed to within touching distance of a Champions League place and into the last 32 of their first adventure into the UEFA Cup, had given every encouragement that the manager's wish would be fulfilled.

Why shouldn't it be? A strong squad, arguably the strongest ever formed by a Middlesbrough boss, money to spend in the January transfer window and a squad brimming with confidence.

How things can change in a month of football. Now an injury-ravaged pool has had no fresh injection of new blood and every last drip of self-assurance appears to have worked its way out of the players' systems.

But perhaps the most worrying thing for McClaren is that the impressive playing staff assembled last summer suddenly looks short, as big name players have had to spend masses amount of time on the treatment table.

Blackburn visit the Riverside Stadium this afternoon and Middlesbrough know anything less than victory could lead to either Charlton or Bolton knocking them out of the top six for the first time since October.

Track records suggest there is every chance of the North-East club suffering that fate. So far they have failed to win any of their five league games since the turn of the year and, with striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink the latest to miss out through illness today, McClaren has his work cut out in ending the slump against Rovers.

In years gone by the six matches immediately after December 31 have never been the most fruitful for the club. They were even worse in 1999 and 1996 when Middlesbrough failed to win for eight and 12 games respectively - in the latter's case they actually dropped from fifth to 12th.

This year should end differently. But the fact they will end outside the top four will be annoying as prior to the Boxing Day defeat to Birmingham, Middlesbrough had serious eyes on catching eyes Everton. Now the Toffees are out of sight and losing grip on the final UEFA Cup place is now becoming primary concern for the Teessiders.

Having been knocked out of both the Carling Cup and the FA Cup, McClaren knows the only way back into European football next season will be to either retrieve ailing fortunes in the league or to go all the way in the UEFA Cup.

But Middlesbrough need to turn things around quickly if a season - that is regarded as the club's biggest year in their history - is going to be remembered for failing to take the next step as much as a first adventure into European competition.

The need for the likes of Geremi and Bobo Balde to arrive in January has become even more apparent since their decisions to turn a back on a move.

And it is up to McClaren - without the likes of Mark Viduka, George Boateng and Chris Riggott for a couple of weeks at least, plus Gaizka Mendieta and Ugo Ehiogu for considerably longer - to try to bring the best out of the younger generation and many of his fringe men.

But the England coach is fighting against the omens bearing in mind how Middlesbrough have struggled over the years.

The danger is a growing one. The tide needs to turn quickly otherwise a season of excitement and optimism could descend further into freefall and pessimism.