McClaren Tops Poll of Recent Boro Managers
McClaren outstrips Robson and Southgate in poll of favorite Middlesbrough managers
As a former England defender, Gareth Southgate knows all about the fickleness of football fans but even he must have been taken aback by the results of a local newspaper poll today.
Asked to identify the best Middlesbrough manager out of Southgate, Steve McClaren and Bryan Robson, 61% of those responding for Teesside's Evening Gazette named McClaren. Southgate and Robson each earned 19.5% of the vote.
Southgate's side are without a Premier League win since November but Boro's manager – who did not see eye to eye with McClaren during the days when they were manager and captain at the Riverside – will nonetheless be dismayed by the strength of feeling revealed.
After all, despite winning the League Cup and leading Boro to the Uefa Cup final, McClaren was always tolerated rather than loved by Teessiders who frequently lamented the pragmatism of his football.
Until late last year most Hull City supporters seemed to believe Phil Brown could walk on the Humber but a run of one win in 15 games has seen some KC Stadium regulars turn against a manager now perceived as clay-footed.
At least Brown, who guided Hull to promotion last spring and oversaw the brightest of beginnings to their Premier League campaign, retains the support of his chairman.
"I can't understand why any Hull fan would question the ability and the decisions of Phil Brown," said Paul Duffen today. "I think it is disgraceful. Fans have to trust the manager.
"People following the club are privileged to be doing so because it is the most successful period in Hull's history. For some fans to be taking that for granted is a great shame. Fans need to support the manager whatever happens this season."
It is usually unwise for chairmen to brand their paying public as "disgraceful" but Duffen is keen to stress that Hull – for the moment at least – remain 11th, five points clear of the relegation zone. "I do think it is a vocal minority," he said. "But I find it shocking that some fans have already forgotten how well this football club is doing."
In the context of their recent history, Middlesbrough can hardly be said to be doing well and today admitted a Football Association charge of failing to control their players during a recent defeat at West Brom. The club has requested a personal hearing but a date has yet to be determined.
Asked to identify the best Middlesbrough manager out of Southgate, Steve McClaren and Bryan Robson, 61% of those responding for Teesside's Evening Gazette named McClaren. Southgate and Robson each earned 19.5% of the vote.
Southgate's side are without a Premier League win since November but Boro's manager – who did not see eye to eye with McClaren during the days when they were manager and captain at the Riverside – will nonetheless be dismayed by the strength of feeling revealed.
After all, despite winning the League Cup and leading Boro to the Uefa Cup final, McClaren was always tolerated rather than loved by Teessiders who frequently lamented the pragmatism of his football.
Until late last year most Hull City supporters seemed to believe Phil Brown could walk on the Humber but a run of one win in 15 games has seen some KC Stadium regulars turn against a manager now perceived as clay-footed.
At least Brown, who guided Hull to promotion last spring and oversaw the brightest of beginnings to their Premier League campaign, retains the support of his chairman.
"I can't understand why any Hull fan would question the ability and the decisions of Phil Brown," said Paul Duffen today. "I think it is disgraceful. Fans have to trust the manager.
"People following the club are privileged to be doing so because it is the most successful period in Hull's history. For some fans to be taking that for granted is a great shame. Fans need to support the manager whatever happens this season."
It is usually unwise for chairmen to brand their paying public as "disgraceful" but Duffen is keen to stress that Hull – for the moment at least – remain 11th, five points clear of the relegation zone. "I do think it is a vocal minority," he said. "But I find it shocking that some fans have already forgotten how well this football club is doing."
In the context of their recent history, Middlesbrough can hardly be said to be doing well and today admitted a Football Association charge of failing to control their players during a recent defeat at West Brom. The club has requested a personal hearing but a date has yet to be determined.
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