Two things Kim Hellberg learned about himself while navigating Boro winless run

Boro have endured a frustrating slump in form at the worst possible time. Despite largely positive performances, Hellberg’s side have struggled for goals, and the result has been losing their grip on second place in the Championship.

With five games remaining, Hellberg has now conceded that rivals Ipswich Town are in pole position to win automatic promotion. But as he tries to navigate the winless run and turn Boro’s fortunes around, Hellberg is by no means waving any white flags.

Asked what he’d learned about himself during the frustrating run, Hellberg said: “I am a fighter, and I love football. Even through the darkest times, I still wake up and like football.

“This is what I'm good at, this is what I'm passionate about. I'm passionate about the way we play. That is what I'm good at, making teams play in a certain way.

“It’s been good at all my clubs in terms of doing that and over time that has given me very good results everywhere, and good development on the players. Then again, now it's not about getting so much better. The last four weeks are just about getting those wins that you need.”

Having been in football over 20 years, Hellberg is no stranger to winless runs. He’s experienced it all before - the highs and the lows. In that sense, he feels capable of handling the emotions that come.

That said, he admits when he stands and sees a sold-out away end at Swansea City standing and passionately applauding the team, despite travelling over 600 miles and not seeing a win, it hurts that he can’t provide more wins.

“It hurts a lot in terms of not getting that win for the players, for the staff, for the supporters,” the Boro boss admitted. “That's what hurts most, because I can cope with not winning games.

“But it's that feeling of making people disappointed, and not getting what they deserve. That’s been very tough over these last five games. It’s been a lot of emotions - ups and downs - and thinking about that and – and trying to find solutions and help everyone be better.”

If not being able to reward supporters for their incredible backing and passion hurts Hellberg, it also provides him with his biggest motivation to turn things around too.

Speaking ahead of the weekend clash with Portsmouth, he concluded: “I've felt a lot of love and passion from everyone. The supporters I meet have been absolutely brilliant. So proud of the team, so proud of how we play, how we perform. It’s been very supportive.

“Sometimes, in the moment, you see the angry ones, you don't see all of the happiness and all those very, very supportive and brilliant supporters. It’s been absolutely fantastic.

“It's been a lot of people around the club that's been brilliant to me, supported me in so many ways. I’m very happy with that. Overall, what I get from everyone is an unbelievable affection for how we play, how we act, how the team has created opportunities.

“From everyone – opposition players, opposition coaches, supporters. That’s something we’ve spoken about in the locker room, and the reason why we should keep going, keep believing.”

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