Warnock Weekly 31-10-07 || Middlesbrough F.C. news, reviews and comment

WARNOCK WEEKLY - ONE SMALL QUESTION - 31-10-07
Tom Warnock

If I could have one question answered right now, completely and truthfully, it would be put to Steve Gibson. I would like to know what's running through his mind as he witnesses the falling of managers of the clubs around his own in the League table.

Bolton and Spurs have parted company with their coaches already. Chelsea have as well, although for different reasons. There must be a dilemma in Steve's mind right now as whilst Gareth may be able to keep us in the division, that is possibly the limit of his abilities.

There seems to be a conflict of opinion and indeed ambition amongst the supporters. Some argue with me that we will survive this season, possibly even comfortably.

Let's imagine we do. So what of next season? And the one after that? It doesn't look bright in the long term.

Towards the end of McClaren's tenure we were a club on the up. We had just won our first major trophy and had also obtained European recognition. It looked like the club could build on a prolonged period in the top flight and thus start accumulating finances.

But we have never truly gone all the way in the transfer market, made a statement of intent, nor decided that this would be the season. More often than not it's more like "well we might do ok, let's just see what happens".

This is the attitude which has become engrained at the club over the last year or so. At least Steve McClaren had first hand experience of being in a European Cup winner's dressing room, and knew what it meant to translate ambition into trophies.

These are all things that a new manager doesn't possess, yet these are the very things we need in our dressing room if we are to take the club to the next stage.

The team has lost its sense of direction, even the most determined players like Boateng, Downing and Woodgate have tailed off over the last month or so. There's no resolve and there seems to be a feeling of resignation of the inevitable.

The next three games may ultimately decide the outcome of our season, and with it our long term future.

Spurs will be up for this weekend's showdown but they also play in the Carling Cup midweek. We must take advantage of this and look to have the game won by half time, or at least be a goal to the good. Too ambitious? With our current form then yes, but if we cannot beat one of the three remaining teams worse than us, then we do have a problem.

Now is a situation where we must take each game as it comes, treat each one as a six pointer and also a cup final.

While I wouldn't argue with Gibson if he decided to let Gareth go, it probably wouldn't help us much right now.

There is, however, little to suggest he can turn it around. I was shocked by the fact he has barely reached double figures in his win-ratio since becoming manager. It doesn't fill the average man with much belief and it can't be doing wonders for the players either.

Despite what some may think it's time that the whole club - players and fans alike - to accept the precarious nature of our season. Far too often the teams who think they are too good to go down.well you know the rest.

Come on Gareth, please prove us all wrong.

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