A RECORD that reads just 18 goals conceded in the 17 matches since Jonathan Woodgate joined Middlesbrough is only bettered in the Premiership by Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bolton.

But, without attempting to under-value the contribution of their loan man from the Bernabeu, manager Gareth Southgate has highlighted another major factor that has been lost in Woody Mania: The form of goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Prior to Woodgate's arrival, Boro had the worst defensive record in the league after conceding eight goals in an opening three fixtures. The 26-year-old, however, has had an enormous impact on everyone around him at the Riverside Stadium.

Schwarzer, for one, is benefiting. He has always been highly thought of by former team-mate Southgate and now the manager has revealed he would not trade him in for any other goalkeeper in the Premiership.

"Mark's performances all season have been top drawer," said Southgate, who used to share lifts with him from north Yorkshire before his graduation to Middlesbrough boss in the summer.

"What he does do is command his area and that takes pressure off the team and he doesn't have to necessarily make many saves. I have seen an improvement over the five years I have been here with him. He has got better as he has gone on.

"At this stage he is improving and it is great for us that we have him here. He is up there in the top three keepers in the league. I would not swap him with anyone.

"I know his drive and temperament and he is first class. He wants to play in another World Cup and he has the hunger to play at the highest level. It would be seen as unprofessional to give him a lift in. I work different hours to him now."

Schwarzer kept his sixth clean sheet of the season at Everton on Boxing Day, his second in a row following last Saturday's success over Charlton.

But it is the form of the defence in front of him that is receiving all the plaudits.

The quartet of Andrew Davies, Woodgate, Emanuel Pogatetz and Andrew Taylor has developed a clear understanding and there are few defences in the country who are in better form as a group.

And Southgate, who formed an impressive understanding with both Ugo Ehiogu and Chris Riggott during his days as a player at the Riverside, admits the pressure is being eased on the strikers' shoulders to secure results.

"The general trend has been one of progress in that area of the field," said Southgate. "It gives us more of a chance of getting results when the defence is playing so well and keeping things tight. It is vitally important and it puts less pressure on the forwards to get two or three in games.

"The more often and regularly you pick points up builds confidence. The resilience at Everton was important because if we want to progress as a team we have to show that character."

The shut-out at Everton secured a point in their attempts to climb away from the bottom three, following on from the success over the Addicks a week ago.

Now, with a trip to Blackburn today followed by a home game with fellow strugglers Sheffield United on New Year's Day, there is optimism further points can arrive to help Middlesbrough edge closer to safety and up towards the top half of the table.

"We've had a good start to the Christmas period," said Southgate. "We knew Everton would be difficult and we had to beat Charlton. It means nothing if we fail to build on those last two matches.

"Blackburn are a good side and have proved that with Mark Hughes. The performance against Liverpool was a terrific 1-0 win for them on Boxing Day and we will have to be at our best to beat them.

"We have competed against the teams we have come up against and we don't fear anyone.

"Winning the next two games would alter the complexion of the season completely. The middle section of the table is within our grasp and we want to eventually overtake those sides around us."

Middlesbrough's plight is hardly helped by the fact they are yet to win on their travels this season, with the new year looming large.

They have lost six of their ten away games and conceded 14, scoring just seven.

Southgate, without Julio Arca with a hip problem today, is calling for change.

"We can't hide from the fact we have not won away," said the former Boro skipper. "But because we have performed well at tough places tells me we should be doing better away from home than we are in terms of results.

"We have to make sure we are solid and show the attacking display we did at Fulham. In recent games at Aston Villa, Spurs and Fulham we should have got more. We can't keep saying that, though. Hopefully that will change at Blackburn.