Emanuel Pogatetz has admitted Middlesbrough have let themselves get dragged back into the Premier League relegation battle.Boro's survival looked assured just a few weeks ago but they have only managed to pick up two points from their last four games.
Saturday's defeat to Bolton left Gareth Southgate's side just five points above the drop zone with three games remaining, against Sunderland, Portsmouth and Manchester City.
Pogatetz is frustrated that Boro are still not safe and has urged his team-mates to finish the season strongly.
"It is a bit close for comfort," the Austrian told the Daily Star.
"Now all the pressure is on us again and it is not very enjoyable.
"It's so disappointing because we wanted to put the season to bed."
Gavin McCann scored the only goal of the game in the second half but Pogatetz feels Boro should have taken at least a point after starting brightly.
"We didn't take our chances and haven't been ruthless enough in too many games this season," he said.
"We kept Bolton alive in the first half and after they scored it was hard to break them down because they were fighting for their lives.
"If I'd been a Bolton player after those first 20 minutes I'd have been thinking 'we've got away with it, so this could be our day'."
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