A LACK of ambition undermined Middlesbrough’s hopes of taking the points in Saturday’s encounter with Hull City, believes manager Aitor Karanka.

Boro began brightly on Humberside, David Nugent going close with an early chance, but ultimately the Tigers were well worth a 3-0 victory which keeps them top of the table.

Karanka’s team were flat for the most part, lacking in creativity and did precious little to excite the 2,554 travelling fans as Hull made it five league wins in a row – their best run for ten years.

"Last season there were times when we thought we were better than we were, but now we have one of the best squads in the league. Because of that, we needed to show more ambition,” said Karanka after Boro’s heaviest defeat of the season so far.

“We have one of the best squads in the league, so my only thought is that we need more ambition and score more goals.

“We started really well and felt comfortable. We have to know how we are and have more ambition to win the games.

“It was difficult because we started well and had chances to score the first, but we didn't.

“They are one of the better teams in the league and we need to be more ambitious.

“If we are comfortable we have problems and most of the time it is the same.”

Middlesbrough stay fourth and due to the international break are now without a match until QPR visit the Riverside a week on Friday.

Karanka added: "Are we feeling the pressure of being among the favourites for promotion? I don't think so. We were comfortable and had chances to score before they did, but at times we lacked intensity and the right mentality.

"Hull kept the same intensity, but we didn't. The ambition made a difference. We're still confident but we need to learn from today.

“We have won 30 points after 16 games, I think we are in a good position. We have an important game at home against QPR next and then Huddersfield away. It is impossible to win every single game and today we played against one of the better teams. We have to keep going. We have lost today, so we have two weeks to recover.”

Midfielder Bruno Zuculini, on loan from Manchester City, was one of three changes to the team which beat Rotherham United in midweek. He took Grant Leadbitter’s place, but made little impact.

Karanka defended his selection, saying: “He always wants the ball, he fights for the ball and he can make mistakes because when you have the ball a lot this can happen,” and on Leadbitter’s omission, the manager added: “It was a surprise for many people, but we have to be careful with the midfielders to keep them fresh.”

Nugent will hope to use the international break to recover from a hamstring strain. He was replaced by Kike early in the second half, and Karanka explained: “We have to wait and see and speak with the doctor.”