Parkinson gathered his players to review the 1-0 defeat at Bramall Lane in full, revealing the group watched the entire opening 45 minutes together.

The 58-year-old says it was important for the squad to confront their shortcomings head-on ahead of the clash with Boro.

"We sat down with the team and went through the first half in particular and what we feel we didn't do and what we need to do better," he said.

"There was a meeting which needed to take place, but that's normal.

"I think there was decent honesty in the room. We sat down and watched the whole of the first half and I think it was important we did that.

"Quite often we show parts of a game but I felt we needed to sit down and watch the whole of it as a group and there was some discussion points as you'd imagine.

"But sometimes the door's got to be closed and we've got to get some honesty within the group, I felt we did that and it's up to us now to respond tomorrow night."

Wrexham go into the clash sitting 18th in the table after two successive defeats but Parkinson is looking for a repeat of the display in the last home game when Wrexham beat bottom side Preston North End 4-1.

The Reds are back at The Racecourse on Saturday when high-flying Wolves are the visitors for the last match before the international break.

"If we go back to the last home game, if we can get a performance to those levels then we'll have a really good chance of upsetting Middlesbrough," he said.

"I feel we've had a productive few days on the training ground and the lads know that it's an important week for us with two home games and I'm pleased with how the lads have responded, but of course it's all about responding tomorrow night.

"We're a bit depleted, but we've shown grit and determination a lot of the time over these years, and that's what we're looking for tomorrow.

"We've got to fight tooth and nail whilst understanding the tactical side of the game and what's required. I want to see that spark and effort and intensity in our play.

"The top team's coming into town and it's up to us to put in a performance which gives us the best chance of winning the game.

"We're not where we want to be, we know that, but we've got to dig deep."

Boro's 13-goal striker Will Lankshear is the division's top scorer and Parkinson added: "I think their strengths are pretty obvious because you know the goal-scoring exploits at the top of the pitch, but that's a great challenge as well.

"You look at a player who everyone's talking about and we've sat down with our defenders. They know what he's good at and let's have that concentration level to take care of a player who's obviously had a great start to the season."