Bruce felt that not one of the Blues side played to their full potential during the disappointing 2-0 FA Cup fifth round replay defeat to Sunderland last wednesday and is expecting an immediate response from the players with three points from the re-arranged game against Boro at St. Andrew's this week.
"They've been in the Division a long time and spent a lot of money of course. They're a very good side and thats why they've got to a Cup Final," the Blues boss told Capital Gold Radio.
"But, we're well placed above them in the League, they've got to come to St. Andrews and I'm hoping and I know that I'm going to get a response out of my players to have a Birmingham performance again.
"I'll do my utmost to make sure that the response is a positive one."
Bruce Looking For Quick Response
Steve Bruce