DANNY MILLS reckons Middlesbrough can emulate Leeds United's efforts of three years ago by overcoming a sluggish start to mount a charge for Europe.

Mills, 26, was in the Leeds team that struggled in the first half of the 2000-01 Premiership campaign but only missed out on a Champions League place on the last day of the season.

Middlesbrough go into tomorrow's League game with Wolverhampton Wanderers with only goal difference keeping them out of the relegation zone.

But after Boro followed up Sunday's encouraging draw at Tottenham with a battling victory against Wigan Athletic, Mills is backing his side to march up the table.

He said: "At Leeds, we had a spell where we were absolutely fantastic in the Champions League but were about 15th in the Premiership.

"We turned it around and finished fifth, and there's no reason to press the panic button yet.

"You finish where you deserve to finish, and I'm sure we'll be well inside the top half.

"We've got quality and we're doing the right things. We've just got to keep working hard and it will come good."

Middlesbrough were highly fortunate to beat Wigan on Wednesday, with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer on top of his game to keep the First Division side at bay.

But in the wake of luckless defeats to Leeds and Chelsea, Mills believes the 2-1 win at the JJB Stadium could prove to be a defining moment in Boro's season.

He added: "We were looking for a turning point and hopefully that was it. We've played better and lost this season.

"We've now got a very big game against Wolves, and if we can win that we'll start moving up."

Captain Gareth Southgate is also confident Boro have put their bad start firmly in the past.

He said: "A couple of wins would take us up to about eighth and I believe we're more than capable of doing that. I feel very upbeat about it. While it's easy to say things will come right, I genuinely believe that results will come with the way we're playing.

"There's a great deal to be optimistic about. It goes without saying that the first five or so games weren't acceptable, but if I'm honest we only had half a team.

"We had a lot of injuries and signings who didn't arrive until three or four games into the season.

"There's still a touch of frustration because our build-up play has been good and we're enjoying lots of possession. But we haven't turned that into goals.

"Generally, our performances have been positive and we're certainly a lot more solid than we were at the beginning of the season. But we won't win matches if we're not scoring."

Mills has allowed Massimo Maccarone to be credited with Middlesbrough's first goal against Wigan.

Boro went in front when England international Mills's shot struck the Italy striker and deflected past Latics goalkeeper Gary Walsh.

Mills said: "It wasn't a great strike from me and I think Massimo wants it. I'm not that bothered; it hit him and it's his goal."

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