Jonathan Woodgate makes damning admission after Luton defeat and reveals Dael Fry injury blow

Boro were second best against the Hatters and didn’t register an official shot on target against the division’s leakiest defence.

“I won't discuss what I spoke to them about but I wasn't happy at all with the performance and that's all I'll say on that,” said Woodgate after the game.

"We didn't play well and you can't say they played well. They ground the 1-0 out, they had one shot on target, we had one shot on target. Fair play to them, they got the result in the end."

“They wasted time often and it was hard to get a foothold in the game. When the ball went out, they were taking ages to get the ball.”

Woodgate also highlighted his side’s lack of quality in the final third as attacks regularly broke down.

“Our final ball at times was terrible,” added Woodgate. “”We got into good areas but didn’t deliver. A lot of balls were blasted across the face of goal.

“We have got more quality than that, that’s the frustrating thing and we should show more quality.

“I don’t blame the fans for booing us because I’d have done exactly the same but what I do expect is my players, when the going gets tough and they getting a bit of stick off the crowd, they stand up and start showing character.”

Woodgate was forced into a defensive change before the match after Dael Fry suffered a thigh injury in Tuesday’s draw at Wigan.

When asked about the setback, Woodgate said: “Four weeks. We found out yesterday. He got the scan and it’s a thigh injury. One fit, one out. It's difficult to get a settled defence.”

Fry’s injury means he is likely to miss Boro’s next five games against Barnsley, Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Charlton and Swansea.

George Friend took Fry’s place on the left of a back three and Woodgate said his captain had no issues after a lengthy injury lay-off.