DAN Barlaser admits Middlesbrough's players share the frustration of supporters at dropped points this season - but says it isn't too late to right those wrongs.

Boro are fifth in the Championship table but could - should - have been closer to the automatic promotion places, which they currently trail by 11 points.

While Michael Carrick's side have shown what they're capable of, they've struggled for consistency and have made a habit of dropping points in games they should have won or got more from.

The most recent example was Saturday's game against Cardiff, with Carrick admitting his disappointment afterwards after his side were made to settle for a draw against the lowly Bluebirds.

The players don't need reminding of opportunities that haven't been grasped this season, but Barlaser says there's still time to put it right.

"I've seen stranger things happen (than us getting in the top two), I don't see why we can't go for that," insisted the midfielder.

"In my opinion, watching games at the start of the season and playing recently, we've dropped nine or 10 points. We could have been right up there.

"Games like Cardiff and Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday, there's points gone. If we can score goals and stay resolute, we still have a right chance.

"We need to try and not give teams that bit of hope and chance to defend for their lives.

"It’s still tight [below us] but we're unbeaten in six. If we can keep this run going of being resolute and get a bit better in possession, we'll be a bit better."

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After being something of a fringe figure in the early stages of the season, Barlaser has had a run in the team of late, starting nine of Boro's last 11 Championship games in the absence of Aidan Morris and Jonny Howson - and he's enjoying his spell playing alongside Hayden Hackney.

He said: "I love it. I just kind of sit behind him and let him do his thing moving forward. He's got more legs than me!

"I just try and be as good as I can out of possession and feed the attacking players as much as I can. We've done that quite well the last couple of games but it didn't quite happen [on Saturday].

"For me, it's the same whether I'm playing or not. It's just about staying as professional as I can because there's always going to be a chance. I just try to be as consistent as I can and do what the gaffer wants me to do, which is keep the ball and get the attacking lads in dangerous positions."

Carrick will almost certainly make changes to his Boro side for Saturday's FA Cup third round tie against Blackburn, but whether Barlaser is in the team or not, he's desperate to advance.

He said: "We went on a cup run last year and I'd love to do it again. We'll take that game seriously and try and win."