Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka feels that his side's back-to-back wins at the Riverside Stadium in the Championship could be crucial in their push for promotion to the Premier League.
Boro recorded a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town on Saturday, before edging past Cardiff City courtesy of strikes from Patrick Bamford and Lee Tomlin, despite a late goal by Kenwyne Jones.
Karanka and his team now go into their fourth-round clash in the FA Cup against Manchester City full of confidence on the back of their two vital victories.
He told reporters: "I said we needed six points [in our two home games]. It is important to have six points in the two games at home.
"We have a good game on Saturday to look forward to but the six points are in our possession. That's the main thing.
"We have two weeks now until the next league game. We can now focus on the cup game."
Middlesbrough trail Championship leaders Bournemouth by just one point after 27 matches this season.
Simon Sinclair
