JOHN Eustace isn't surprised to see Middlesbrough competing at the top end of the Championship, and claimed that's where they should be after spending "a lot of money" building their "fantastic squad".

Eustace also claimed he didn't have to change anything at all in preparation for Saturday's game, despite the fact it was a new manager in the dugout with Kim Hellberg taking charge for the first time.

And Eustace had nothing but praise for his own players after the 2-1 defeat at the Riverside, saying Derby just ran out of steam in the second half as Boro fought back from behind to pick up all three points.

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The victory lifted Boro back into the Championship's automatic promotion places, and asked whether he expects them to last the pace at the top, Eustace said: “I

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