Source: Northern_Echo
Yeates is relishing the Tyneside trip
MARK YEATES has denied that the Middlesbrough players would rather step out into the intimidating atmosphere at St James' Park on Sunday than face their own fans at the Riverside. The Boro players have received an increasingly hostile reception from home supporters following their dismal run of four games without victory on Teesside, leading to accusations that they are a more effective outfit on their travels. Gordon Strachan's side go into the Tyne-Tees derby looking to recapture the form that took a stunning 5-1 victory from Loftus Road earlier this month but face a Newcastle side unbeaten at home this season. Yeates is relishing the prospect of playing in his first North-East but insists that despite suffering another home defeat against Cardiff Ciy last weekend he is never happier than when he steps onto the Riverside turf. I love coming out at the Riverside and playing,'' he said. People might think that's strange but I do. I think we all stood up to be counted on Sunday (against Cardiff), wanted the ball, it was just a matter of wanting the ball. The next one is away but it doesn't matter, we just want to get out there and play wherever it is. I don't think we are a better team away from home than we are at home, it's just strange that we seem to be getting the luck, the results. It's been so frustrating to see us fall, but if we could put our fingers on it we would. We have to keep working to find a solution to it and hopefully it will turn. Then we will pick up the results we deserve.'' The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 believes that Newcastle's ability to retain seasoned campaigners like Alan Smith, Kevin Nolan and Steve Harper has proven crucial to the Magpies successful campaign. Yeates said: Newcastle have kept a good core of all their players from last season together. They are all strong, experienced lads who have gone on a run. That's the way this league is, you can build up momentum from a few wins and that's what they have done. They are full of confidence and that means the group gets better. We have to make sure we get that feeling again. Newcastle is the next game for us and we have to look at it as the game when we can turn things around. At the moment people wouldn't give us a chance with the way the results are going but it's a funny league. We definitely believe we can go there and get a result. If we don't what's the point. Personally I have never played at St James in a local derby and that's the type of game anyone wants to play in. It's not just another game because we need a result and we know what it means to everyone. We will be working extra hard for Sunday to get a win and that might be the lift everyone needs.