Middlesbrough manager: "Kalas has improved a lot since he came here."
Kalas has been at the heart of Middlesbrough's defence, as they record 3 wins on the trot after back to back losses to Rotherham and Charlton. Both fighting relegation. Kalas has started the last three matches and manager Karanka sees no reasons to change that.
"He did well," Karanka said about Kalas to thenorthernecho. "And it is always about the team for me. Tomas is playing well, and I don’t think it would be fair if he was playing for the last few games and playing well, but then I changed things. Why should I change?
"I think he (Kalas) has improved a lot since he came here. That is normal because he is young, and when you are young, you can improve and get more mature through playing games. He has played as a right-back, and now he is playing as a central defender. He is doing really well, and is making good decisions whenever he plays. He is really confident now, and that is good for him and good for the team."
Kalas now has to fight for his position against what is arguable the best defender in the Championship. Ayala.
"Promotion is within our grasp now," said Kalas. "That is our achievement so far to get to this good position - but we want more from now.
We all want to get into the automatics. Nobody wants to be in the play-offs. Obviously if that has to be then yes, we’ll take that, it is better than not."
"But everybody here is fighting towards the automatics. From the start of the season that was the big aim. We are getting closer and closer but nothing is decided yet.
"There are still tough games ahead and no room for mistakes. We have to keep on going the way we are and keep trying to win every game. This is the business end of the season. It is just a few more games. It is a big pressure now because early on if you make a mistake there are plenty of games to recover but not now so we know we must win."
