Hellberg says it's his job to end Boro's slump

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg admits it is down to him to stop their tailspin down the Championship.

Boro have won just two of their last 11 games and are enduring a six-match winless streak, their worst run of the season.

From fighting for the title with Coventry two months ago, they look set to miss out on automatic promotion and Hellberg says it his job to end their slump.

The Middlesbrough manager told BBC Radio Tees: "It's six in a row without a win from a team playing good football and that has played good football, but we're not getting it right.

"That's not the feeling you want to have in your chest or in your heart or in your head.

"We're trying to make it right, but we're not succeeding at the moment and that's my responsibility."

Middlesbrough face second-placed Ipswich at Portman Road on Sunday and Hellberg admits the showdown has become a must-win game for them.

"It's all about the next game and trying to get some points," said the Swede. "We need to win a game to be fair and sort this feeling out. We need to win games."

Hellberg feels Middlesbrough's plight is worsened by the absence of injured key duo Morgan Whittaker and Hayden Hackney.

The pair are two of Boro's top performers, with top scorer Whittaker contributing 11 goals and six assists, and midfielder Hackney, who has been shortlisted for the Championship Player of the Year, six goals and seven assists.

When asked how much Boro were missing them, Hellberg said: "It's very easy to answer. One is the best player in the league. They are the two with most points on our team, so a lot.

"Everyone can see it, and it's nothing to hide from. You don't want it to be like that, but it's very, very clear."