Stewart Downing only cares about securing a play-off spot at this stage of the season.

Middlesbrough came away 2-0 victors over former manager Aitor Karanka's side at the Riverside.

Downing played a key role because he scored the second in the 31st minute to help secure the result.

This was his second league goal of the season with his first being a consolation goal in a 2-1 loss to Millwall all the way back in December.

The nature of the performance won't have inspired fans or convinced neutrals, but Downing wasn't fazed by that in his post-match interview: "I am sure he (Karanka) appreciated the reception, if not the result he wanted. I am sure he is pleased with that reaction. I know what he is like and he’d have wanted to come here and upset us a bit, maybe frustrate us or get a draw."

But this was all about us winning the game, not about what was going on around us. Some people thought he may be booed but I never did. We have all moved on. I am sure he realised how good he had it here. Boro was good for him and he was good for the club."

"Once we got the goals to go in front we weren’t in a lot of danger. In the second half it was probably more of our wrongdoing with the sloppiness. But we won the game and that’s the main thing."

The Verdict

Downing is right to point out how results matter more than aesthetics at such a crucial stage. Comments such as this will have impressed his manager because Pulis' approach is built on this platform.

Middlesbrough only have a one-point gap over Millwall in seventh and they have the Lions to play as well as Derby, Bristol City and Sheffield United in their remaining games.

Therefore, they have to prioritise results over anything else if they want to finish in the play-offs.