IT'S taken time for Steve McClaren to make his mark at Middlesbrough.

The former Derby coach arrived in the north east with an impressive pedigree after spending several seasons under the wing of Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

But four straight defeats in the Premiership was hardly the way he had planned to mark his debut in management.

At one point, there was even talk of the England coach being axed barely two months into a lucrative new contract.

Thankfully, though, the Boro board refused to panic and now one of his closest allies in the dressing room can see the green shoots of recovery beginning to sprout.

"We have definitely improved since the start of the season," said Jonathan Greening, one of McClaren's first signings.

"We are playing well as a team now, we are looking strong, and we're not conceding many goals like we were at the start of the season.

"So I'm really looking forward to our trip to Blackburn tomorrow and I'm hopeful we can come away with something to show for our efforts."

Greening has bitter-sweet memories of his two previous trips to Ewood this season.

Back in September, he was part of the England Under 21 side which qualified for the European Championship play-offs after he helped inspire a 2-1 win over Greece.

But he then returned in a Boro shirt some weeks later only to taste defeat in the Worthington Cup after Rovers conjured up an extra time winner.

Now, he wants revenge for that reverse and he believes Boro will come better equipped this time around.

"I thought we were a little unlucky in the Worthington Cup," said Greening.

"We went there with a little weakened team, we had a few youngsters playing, but I thought we played quite well on the night and gave a good account of ourselves.

"Hopefully, we can do the same again but this time take something from the game to reflect our efforts.

"We can certainly go there with confidence.

"We didn't lose against Ipswich last weekend and we didn't concede, but we were disappointed not to win and I hope we can put that right tomorrow."

Like McClaren, Greening is also finding his feet in the North East after deciding to take a gamble and quit Manchester United.

At one point during his Old Trafford career, he was hailed as the next big thing to roll off the United production line.

But, for whatever reason, he never fulfilled that potential and failed to establish himself as a first team regular.

So when McClaren then offered him the chance to follow him to Boro, he decided to bite the bullet and his reward has been his longest sustained spell in the Premiership.

"I'm loving every minute of it," he said.

"Since the start of the year we have started to play with more confidence, we're a different team and I think I have improved with the rest of the side.

"I have played in three different positions as well, but I'm not bothered, it's just great to be part of this side."

With Paul Ince likely to be absent tomorrow, Greening will again be utilised in the centre of midfield.

It marks the start of a run of tough away trips for Boro which consists of visits to Liverpool, Newcastle and Arsenal.

Then it's Manchester United and Fulham at home and the visit of the Champions is a game he is looking forward to with particular relish.

"I'm looking forward to them all, but I have to confess I have pencilled in the Manchester United game since the fixtures were announced," grins Greening, a man with a point to prove to one or two at Old Trafford.