THE Hornets have risen up the league to the half way spot after the win over Boro and striker Danny Graham commented that this provides the team with a great kick-start to the tough week ahead.

"Three games in six days means that this result was very important" said the striker.

"To come to the Riverside, with Middlesbrough third in the league, we knew it was going to be a tough game, especially on the back of two defeats, so getting the three points has given everyone a boost."

The ex-Middlesbrough man came up against his former team mates but it was Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley who scored the one and only goal at the Riverside, thanks to Graham's assist.

"It was a nice little assist for myself with Tom's goal.

"I've always said if I'm not scoring, then I want to be helping the team score by assisting with goals and that was the case today."

Graham worked hard in attack all afternoon, supported by a creative midfield that contained the likes of goalscorer Cleverley.  

 "I guess no matter where I play, even if I play right-back for the team, I won't be fazed.

"I'm always going to give 100%, wherever I am on the pitch.

"It seemed to work today with the one up front and I think the tactics were spot on - everyone fulfilled their role to perfection and I think that's what played the part in us getting the win."

In a frantic last 10 minutes, Boro 'keeper Brad Jones was even up in the Hornets' penalty area, pushing for the equaliser.

But Graham highlighted the strength of his team mates, which made sure the Hornets took home all three points.

"We knew that they were going to push everything forward at the end, but our defence were superb today.

"The middle four were a fantastic unit and as a team I thought we were very solid.

"To be fair, Boro didn't look like scoring as the game went on and this has given us the lift we needed off the back of two defeats."

It's a quick turnaround for Malky Mackay's men and now attentions are immediately turned to Tuesday's visit to Portman Road.

"To come to Middlesbrough and get three points is an achievement, but we have to quickly switch our attentions to Tuesday at Ipswich now.

"If we get beat there then I won't see this result as such a positive one anymore, so we've got to take the momentum from this game into Tuesday and Friday and kick on from here.

"On a personal level, having a hectic week doesn't really bother me as I'm doing the job I love. I'm playing football and travelling around the country to different stadiums, it's great.

"We're a young team and we've got a bunch of lads who thoroughly enjoy playing football together."