But he insists that doesn't mean he will be sitting on his arse during his loan spell at the Riverside, and he believes Boro can gatecrash the play-off places.
Dave Kitson: “Yes, the gap is opening up a bit between us and the top two now.
“But we are still only a few points off the play-off places so we can’t allow ourselves to get too despondent.
“The best thing about football is that there is always another game coming along around the corner and you soon get a chance to put it right.
“And there is much in the way the team has been playing that gives cause for optimism.
“This is a very creative side. We have the likes of Adam Johnson, Julio Arca and Gary O’Neil, who are very creatively minded, and myself and Leroy Lita working hard up front.
“There is no doubt in my mind we can create a lot of chances, score a lot of goals and win matches and, in a league this tight, it only takes a few games to be back there in the pack with a bit of momentum.”