Source: Northern_Echo
Boro home form a real mystery to Strachan
GORDON STRACHAN has admitted that Middlesbrough's horrific home form is preventing his side from holding down a position in the Championship play-off places.[LNB] Last night's 3-0 defeat to Blackpool was Boro's fifth home defeat of the campaign, and sent the Teessiders careering back down to tenth in the table.[LNB] The reverse, which came courtesy of a Gary Taylor- Fletcher double and a late goal from Charlie Adam, was a marked contrast to Saturday's thrilling 5-1 away win at QPR.[LNB] While Boro continue to impress on their travels, their home form goes from bad to worse, and Strachan admits that time is of the essence in terms of discovering a cure for his side's homesickness.[LNB] We have a problem at home, and we have to deal with it, said the Boro boss.[LNB] We have to do something about it because you just cannot let it go on the way it has been.[LNB] There have to be answers, and there have to be answers quickly because it's becoming a trend now doing well away from home, then not doing well at home.[LNB] We have to be brave as a management team, and brave as players. That's the only way we'll be able to do something about it.[LNB] It's a challenge, but people will have seen that it's a challenge all season. It was the same the season previous and probably the one before that.[LNB] It's a big challenge, but we've got the chance to take it on.[LNB] We'll see the people who can react to a challenge, or the people who can't. We have to find that out quickly.[LNB] The optimism that accompanied last weekend's win was beginning to dissipate when Taylor-Fletcher opened the scoring in the 21st minute, and it was replaced by a barrage of boos when the Blackpool striker scored a second five minutes later.[LNB] The catcalls continued at half-time, and were evident again at various stages of the second half, and Blackpool boss Ian Holloway feels the Middlesbrough supporters are part of the problem when it comes to assessing the Teessiders' Riverside jinx.[LNB] The price you pay for a ticket gets you a seat in the stadium, it doesn't guarantee you a win, said Holloway.[LNB] Football is a simple game.[LNB] Managers should manage, players should play and supporters should support.[LNB] If you're booing and complaining, then in my book you're not a supporter, you're a moaner. And players need support and encouragement, not moans.[LNB] While Gareth Southgate grew used to the sound of booing from his own support, last night's game was Strachan's first experience of the rancour that has enveloped the Riverside on a number of occasions in the last 12 months.[LNB] The Scotsman refused to criticise the fans, however, and claimed the supporters at other clubs might have been even quicker to turn.[LNB] I find it (the home form) surprising because the supporters have been absolutely fantastic, he said. I think they're very, very patient. At other clubs, you do not get that time. It cannot be because of the pressure the fans put on you. There is no real pressure there.[LNB] They have every right to boo, but they kept their booing to a minimum considering what was going on.[LNB] On a bitterly disappointing evening, the only good news was provided by the positive prognosis regarding Gary O'Neil.[LNB] The Boro skipper was stretchered off unconscious after colliding with Keith Southern, but has suffered no lasting problems from the incident.[LNB] Gary's a lot better now,[LNB] confirmed Strachan. He got a knock that shook him and scared him a bit. But I've spoken to him and he's fine.[LNB]
