BLACKBURN Rovers manager Paul Ince has warned of a Middlesbrough backlash at Ewood Park on Saturday.
Gareth Southgate's men have lost five of their previous six matches and are reeling from last week's 5-0 thrashing at home to Chelsea.
But while many outsiders would consider it a perfect opportunity to face Boro, Ince has described that as “absolutely rubbish”.
“Middlesbrough are a very good side with very good players, and they play good football,” said the Rovers boss.
“They will be looking to put that Chelsea result right - and they'll look to do that against us.
“We've got to be watchful of that situation. It will be a very tough game for us.”
While Boro underperformed against last season's Premier League runners-up, Ince believes an in-form Teessiders would have found it equally difficult to pick up a result against Chelsea.
The former Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder feels the gap between the top-flight's ‘big four’ and the rest of the league continues to widen, and admits it is getting tougher to pick up points against those at the top.
Ince said: “It was not surprising for me that Chelsea went to Middlesbrough and won 5-0 because they have got great players.
“I think any of the top four can go anywhere and win 4-0 or 5-0, because the gap between the rest of the teams is so vast.”
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