THIS time last week, Middlesbrough were preparing for the visit of Norwich City against a backdrop of anxiety on Teesside and with Michael Carrick facing questions about a potential Championship relegation battle.

Now, on the back of two wins, Boro head for Birmingham City tonight knowing a win will see them close the gap on the top six to just five points.

"It's incredible really," said Carrick.

"The two teams we played against had been on a fantastic run but we end up picking up results after a sticky run. We’re now looking to build on that and momentum is important. Finishing well is in some ways better than starting well, but we’ve got to focus on what’s in front of us and the games coming up. We’ll try and build on what we’ve started over the last week.

"It’s that time of year really. A little cluster of results can determine your season either way. We’ve gone through it over recent weeks where it was a kind of negative impact, if you like, but certainly this like week or so has been really positive. This is now an important game for us, catching up because it’s our game in hand. In the end, it could prove to have a big impact in what we do moving forward."

Despite the fact Boro are now looking up again, Carrick insists Boro aren't getting carried away and says it's still far too early to be thinking about the play-offs.

The focus is tonight's game at St Andrew's and then Saturday's visit of Blackburn before the international break offers the chance to take stock ahead of the final stretch.

Carrick said: “We’re still a long way off and we don’t want to get too carried away. There’s a lot to play for and a lot that could go either way. It’s a big one tonight and another big one on Saturday before we have a bit of a breather, and we’re not looking any further than that right now really.

"Once that comes, we’ll see where we are. We’ve got Southampton after that and then Sheffield Wednesday. The games come thick and fast after the break again. But for these next two games, it’s all we’re focused on and then we’ll see where we are.

“It’s important not to get too carried away. I try to stay level all of the time, either way. Sometimes that comes easier for others. As supporters, you’re involved and you’re dragged through the ups and downs and it can be extreme. That’s all part of the passion and love for the club. We totally get that, but we just have to put things into a little more perspective. Nothing is done yet. We’ve had a couple of wins and it’s given us something to build on."

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Birmingham are winless in four games and are just a point above the drop zone, with ex-Boro assistant Mark Venus in interim charge during Tony Mowbray's absence

Boro favourite Mowbray had to temporarily step down due to illness, with Venus recently saying the Teessider is "getting stronger" after undergoing surgery.

Carrick said: "I've been in touch with Tony myself in recent times and I wish him all the best.

"It's very unfortunate for Birmingham as a football club to have to go through it and obviously for Tony and his family certainly.

"I wish him all the very best and hope to see him back on the touchline sometime soon.

“Every game now, I think every team has got something going on and something to play for. Whether you’re looking up or looking down, every team has got something going at the moment. We’ve found that there are no easy games and everyone can beat everybody, so we knew we have to be right at our best to win."