THEY'RE playing catch-up in the Championship play-off battle and there's little room for error in the coming weeks, with Michael Carrick admitting Middlesbrough might have to win their last five games to force their way into the top six - but the head coach insists his side are under absolutely no pressure ahead of a season-deciding spell.

After Sheffield Wednesday did Boro a favour and pegged back Norwich to draw 2-2 last night, Carrick's side are seven points adrift of the play-off places with a game in hand on the Canaries ahead of the crunch clash with rivals Hull City tonight, which is followed by a trip to Ipswich this weekend followed by Leeds United's visit to the Riverside.

Carrick's side are on a high after a seven-game unbeaten stretch and head for the MKM Stadium on the back of successive wins and clean sheets.

And while Boro are the form team in the Championship, they're still long shots for a top six finish, which prompted Carrick to say: "There's no pressure on us at all, no pressure. It's just about going out and trying to play well. It's everything ahead of us that we're trying to achieve.

"We'll give it our best shot and see where it takes us. We're coming from behind, we know that, certainly no pressure, the boys aren't feeling pressure, they're looking forward to the game and we'll give it our best shot."

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After a slow start to the season and various major injury disruptions, a top finish has always looked unlikely - which gives Boro's players even more of a reason to relish the coming challenges.

"You play all season to put yourself in a position for some sort of success," said Carrick.

"We're coming from behind, we are where we are, they (Hull) are in a very similar position. We know what's at stake but it won't affect us going into the game. It's about embracing the game and the challenge and knowing what we're up against.

“I think there’s a natural extra feeling going into it. Everyone is well aware of what’s at stake and I don’t think we need to ramp that up anymore than it already is. I think, for us, the boys especially, they have to go out there and perform and have a job to do. So their heads need to be clear on what that means.

"Of course there is a little extra emotion and motivation in certain games throughout a season - that comes naturally. The boys have managed those kind of games well so far though. So I’m hoping we’ll do similar in this one."

Boro looked to be out of the top six race at the start of last month but their impressive sequence of results, which started with the home win over Norwich, has seen them move back into contention.

"I just think it shows what consistency brings," said Carrick.

"Everyone is striving for that level of consistency, we know if we perform near our best and keep that level we'll have a good chance of winning a lot of games.

"At times we haven't managed to do that, but it just shows what consistency brings. There's still a lot of football to play and a lot can happen. Let's just stay in the moment, look forward to this game and then see what happens.

"It's about one game and the only way you can ultimately achieve what you want is to  win games. Winning the next one is on our radar, it won't be easy but it's what we're trying to do. Other teams might do things, might not do things, it's not in our control."

Hull are level on points with Boro but have struggled for form of late. Their success at Cardiff last time out brought a six-game winless run to an end but Liam Rosenior's side have won just one of their last seven and only seven of 20 home games this season.

"We're all fighting for the same thing," said Carrick.

"I'm not making too much of the table, it is what it is. It's obvious. But we need to focus on what we're good at, what we need to do and how we win the game. Anything outside that is irrelevant. Then we see what the game brings."

Boro be backed by a sell-out away following at the MKM Stadium, and Carrick said: "The supporters should dream. I've said it many times, for us when you're performing and have a job to do it's a different mindset to supporters dreaming and wishing and having that love for the game.

"The away fans particularly have been outstanding, incredible at times. The way they travel, the numbers, the support, I'm sure they'll be loud and we need to give them something to shout about again."