Source: Northern_Echo
No panic after Boro reverse
KEITH LAMB is convinced Gordon Strachan can lead Middlesbrough through a successful season and stressed the importance of not hittinzg the panic button after a demoralising day one defeat in the Championship.[LNB] Lamb, who did not comment on Brad Jones' imminent move to Liverpool, has been busy trying to raise more funds for his manager to spend in the transfer market by off-loading Boro's No 1.[LNB] But having successfully negotiated deals to bring almost £6m worth of new talent to the Riverside Stadium this summer, Lamb is also satisfied that Strachan has moulded his own squad.[LNB] The Middlesbrough chief executive made no attempt to hide the frustration felt within the boardroom after Saturdays 3-1 home defeat to Roy Keane's Ipswich Town, but he still expects the manager to turn things around.[LNB] Gordon has settled into the squad, settled into the role and it's his squad now, said Lamb. The task now is to whip the players in to shape and get the best performances out of them.[LNB] All the players were disappointed with the performance and the result.[LNB] It's a long season and I'm sure things will get better.[LNB] It's becoming a game of resource and for years we have punched above our weight. We had 11 or 12 years in the Premier League and it's not easy if you fall out.[LNB] But if there's a need for money we will find a way, we have always managed to do that one way or another.[LNB] Lamb was keen to stress that there is no need to overreact to the opening day reversal for the Championship favourites, regardless of how poor, and he thinks that Keane deserves to be commended for the way Ipswich played.[LNB] The bookmakers don't always get it wrong, said Lamb. We have got to be able to deliver on the pitch.[LNB] Gordon might be happy with the squad but not with the performance.[LNB] We all knew it was a poor performance.[LNB] It was excellent from Ipswich, even in the first half they were the better side. We didn't play well and we were beaten by the better side.[LNB]
