Source: Northern_Echo
Defeats have Strachan feeling down
GORDON STRACHAN admits he endured a double bout of depression after suffering back-to-back defeats in his first games as Middlesbrough manager.[LNB] Boro are at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday as they bid to get their promotion bid back on track and Strachan urged his players to remain calm and not allow their recent blip to spark panic in the ranks.[LNB] I got incredibly depressed after both games. It's a horrible, gut-wrenching feeling.[LNB] But I get over it quicker now,[LNB] revealed the manager, who is drawing on all of his managerial experience to reassert Boro's position as title-challengers.[LNB] My remit at Coventry was to get us out of relegation.[LNB] Southampton was the same.[LNB] At Celtic it was to win us back the title, cut the wage bill, bring the average age of the team down and do well in Europe, and we got to the last 16 twice, which was unheard of.[LNB] It will be different here. I want to build a team to play anywhere and any time. I want us to be patient and not panic if we are losing. To keep passing and creating chances.[LNB] The manager insisted he has the strength of character to set the tone for the club.[LNB] I'm the leader. I'm the sports psychologist. I set the standard. I help determine whether the players will be angry, happy, hungry or disciplined.[LNB] I've got a face that says I'm laughing and I've got a face that says I'm serious now. I've got a face that says it's time for you to go away now.[LNB] Despite the disappointing start to his Boro career, Strachan noted that having a supportive chairman ensures that he can focus on team affairs.[LNB] Everything here is right for me,'' he said. I know I'll get a chance, I'll get time.[LNB] They've had one sacking in 15 years. That's not bad going.[LNB] Strachan has been linked with a raid on his former club after Celtic midfielder Barry Robson was the latest name added to the list of the Scot's transfer targets. Robson, capped six times by Scotland, was signed by Strachan from Dundee United for around £1m last January.[LNB]
