ABEL Xavier believes Middlesbrough can become one of the biggest clubs in Europe if they tap into their undeveloped potential.

The Boro defender's comments may come as a surprise to many regional, national or even European observers, whose traditional view of the Teessiders is one of a club that plods along unremarkably in the Premier League.

Former manager Bryan Robson, backed by chairman Steve Gibson's vision, attempted to change that underachieving tag to take the club forward.

In many respects he did, leading Boro to three major cup finals. Yet this relative success was undermined by a relegation season and the club's subsequent struggle to preserve their top-flight status in the following years.

But under Steve McClaren's charge, the perception changed somewhat. He finally established Middlesbrough as a solid Premier League outfit before leading the club to glory when they claimed a first piece of major silverware in the shape of the Carling Cup in 2004.

McClaren followed that historic achievement by qualifying for the UEFA Cup, through a league position, for the first time in the club's history. Then they progressed all the way to the final, only to crash to Sevilla.

Ironically, Sevilla are one of the examples Xavier names as a blueprint for Middlesbrough to follow, along with their Spanish counterparts Valencia and French outfit Lyon.

Xavier insists it can be done, despite the suggestion Boro can compete with the European elite seeming more like a case of mission impossible.

"Valencia, several seasons ago, were like Middlesbough, fighting to stay in their league," said the 34-year-old defender. "But since then they have been in three Champions League finals.

"There are things behind the scenes that are vital in football to reflect a winning mentality on the pitch.

"There is a negative environment in this city because there is a fear of going down. Things must change and we must provide that from inside to outside the club.

"When you look at the club, it is a settled one, and the chairman wants to build a good club. But the ideas must still go forward.

"I have the experience and knowledge. I have been at clubs who were fighting to win titles, to go in to the UEFA Champions League, and at those who go down. I can see a picture here that it can be done properly."

The former Portugal international acknowledges that, though the club is moving forward, no-one can afford to rest on their laurels. He believes more can be done to speed up the process of progression.

"There needs to be a base created for a good and positive environment at the club over the next two or three years, with players who show character" said Xavier.

"If we can do this we can challenge the top half of the table because you have a winning mentality. We still don't have a winning mentality here.

"The people in charge at the club must change that for the club to go forwards. There are a lot of examples of teams abroad who are on the same levels and standards as Middlesbrough, and we're not talking about money.

"Everybody knows that we have a positive academy, which creates talented players. But the quality has to be raised to step up performances and educate good habits, and in doing so you will create a better person and a better player.

"Valencia, Lyon and Sevilla are good examples. There is a lot of research to be done and look behind the scenes (of those teams). You shouldn't stick with one orientation that is good, because it might not be good enough.

"The teams that do this are successful. It is not a question of money or quality players, of course if you are fighting for the title and have the money you will attract a more intelligent player and create a better quality team.

"But when Valencia won the title it wasn't the same as Real Madrid or Barcelona (in terms of money) - there is another way of doing things, by building the foundations behind the scenes.

"It is not good enough for me to hear 'we are small town from the North-East and we must stick with our old ideas'.

"No, if the club wants to go forward, as I know the chairman and gaffer wants, they need to jump, make the next step and globalise."