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WARNOCK WEEKLY - BOO-STING THE PERFORMANCE - 7-11-07
Tom Warnock
Despite the disappointment of yet another winless home fixture, booing returned to the Riverside on Saturday.
Luke Young became the latest defender to score before Dong Gook Lee whilst the Boro still managed to rise up a place in the League and bring ourselves on par with neighbours and trademark strugglers Sunderland.
So, by stopping the run of defeats, are we any closer to turning the corner and rescuing our season?
One section of fans within the Riverside answered that question without words and seemed to provoke quite a reaction.
So objective achieved then?
Well, this all depends on the kind of reaction it warrants from the players. Nowadays players are so cocooned and sensitive that they could take the criticism the wrong way instead of putting their hands up and accepting the blame.
They should think themselves lucky that they aren't wearing a black and white shirt because the streets of Tyneside would be in revolt if their side were in the same position we are.
Anyone visiting the Riverside will know that it's hard to generate any kind of atmosphere.
We sit isolated amongst empty seats and idle figures. Anyone muttering so much as a rallying 'Come On Boro!' is stared at like they've just ran down to the touchline and slapped Gareth Southgate round the chops.
Those 'starers' are the same fans who criticise the boo boys in the crowd. We really can't win.
This is just one factor which is driving fans away from football grounds all over the nation. Soon we will have to start mimicking cricket fans by staving off our boredom with beer and picnics.
If the fans cannot speak out then we are witnessing a business where players can perform as they see fit and be immune from the realities of failure.
The last thing these players need is sympathy and an encouraging pat on the back. We have an abysmal record under Gareth and it needs to be recognised by everyone.
The result was a disappointing one, as was the performance. It's extremely worrying that we cannot keep a clean sheet against the poorest teams in the league.
Players and fans alike will be nervous wrecks going into the Bolton game. It really is a must win game. If we lose to Bolton we will find ourselves firmly entrenched in the relegation fight, if we aren't already.
If I was Gareth I would drop Cattermole. Although he may be echoing the thoughts of some of our players, I feel he would be targeted for further criticism if we lose the game.
It's just not the place of a junior squad member to criticise the supporters, some of whom have been attending games since before Lee was born and can claim a greater allegiance to the side than he currently can.
I shall await Southgate's tactics with much interest. How he approaches the Bolton game will be an indication of how he feels the season is going.
He must surely see the problems we have, yet may be forced to look for a draw as opposed to going all out and risking defeat.
Our defence is leaky at the best of times and any attacking distractions could be costly.
The primary goal is to avoid defeat, which brings added importance to the job of the defence, who must already take responsibility for the poor season so far.
It's a real nail-biter this weekend, and everyone must pull together for ninety plus minutes. The pressure is really on.
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