Defiant Strachan can handle the criticism

01 October 2010 11:07
A BULLISH Gordon Strachan has insisted he is strong enough to cope with the criticism that has been hurled in his direction this week, and claimed he has endured much worse spells during his time as a manager.[LNB] Strachan's position was called into question on Tuesday night after Middlesbrough slumped to their second 3-1 defeat in the space of four days and slipped to 19th in the Championship table in the process.[LNB] The dust has settled somewhat in the last 48 hours, with senior sources at the Riverside confirming the Scotsman will not be dismissed despite a poor start to the campaign.[LNB] The criticism will nevertheless intensify if Boro fail to beat fellow strugglers Portsmouth tomorrow, but Strachan is unconcerned at the level of opprobrium that has been directed his way.[LNB] "We are not firing on all cylinders at the moment," said the Middlesbrough manager. "And I know there's a challenge on. We can't complain about anything that's said about us, we have to deal with it.[LNB] "If someone says, He has not signed very good players', well at the moment I can't argue with that. They are not playing as well as they could be, that's for sure.[LNB] "People might say, Defensively, we are not very good at set plays'. Again, we can't argue with that at all.[LNB] "I'm fine with all of that and I'll put up with it. As long as the criticism is not personal or lies, I don't have a problem.[LNB] "When you are younger, you listen to everything that's said about you and drive yourself bananas. I am well past that. I can understand why people are saying things at the moment, and I really don't have a problem with it."[LNB] Having been charged with the task of securing promotion in the final season of full Premier League parachute payments, Strachan accepts his side have under-performed dramatically in their opening nine matches.[LNB] However, the former Scotland international denies any suggestion he is going through the most difficult spell of his 14-year managerial career.[LNB] He was dismissed as Coventry boss five games into the 2001-02 season and resigned from Southampton towards the end of the 2003-04 campaign, and claims both clubs offered greater challenges than the one he is currently facing on Teesside.[LNB] "There were three or four times at Coventry and Southampton when I got on the bus after a game and thought, Where do we go from here', What should we do now', and Where is the next win coming from' It is nowhere near that stage here," he said.[LNB] "I am not thinking like that. I am going into games thinking, We will win this' - that's the truth. I have gone into games at other clubs thinking, I can't see a result happening'.[LNB] "There is no grey area where you haven't got a clue what to do. At the start of the season, there were games where only two or three players were performing. We have far more than that at the moment, so in that respect, it's strange.[LNB] "But I know fine well what the problems are, and I know what we have to do as a squad and coaching staff to put them right."[LNB] Strachan left Southampton citing a desire to spend more time with his family, but there is no temptation to cut his losses at the Riverside by falling on his sword again.[LNB] Instead, the three-time SPL winner is determined to turn things around for the Middlesbrough fans, who provided unstinting support throughout Tuesday's reverse at Pride Park.[LNB] "When I was younger, I wanted to fight the world and make a living for myself," he said. "Now, I can stand back and my only emotions come from how the fans feel and whether or not I can make them happy.[LNB] "I am happy if they are happy, it is not about me. I've had smashing times in football, and I want to give the players and fans the same emotions I've had.[LNB] "At other clubs, I've given the fans something to cheer about, and I want to give the fans here some memories. The disappointment comes from not winning, and the feeling that you've been unable to do that.[LNB] "I want to make people happy, and if you understand that, you understand a little bit more about me."[LNB] Having missed Tuesday's game through illness, Scott McDonald will be available to return tomorrow after he came through yesterday's training session unscathed.[LNB] Kevin Thomson was also back on the training ground yesterday, but the midfielder, who suffered a fractured fibula in the goalless draw at Leicester, will not be considered until the end of the international break.[LNB] Barry Robson, Stephen McManus (both Scotland), Tarmo Kink (Estonia), Scott McDonald (Australia), Mickael Tavares (Senegal), Jason Steele (England Under-21), Luke Williams and Bruno Pilatos (both England Under-19) have all been called up for international action next week.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo