JOY STORY!

As Robbo tells fun tales of glory days, the buzz of that era seems light years away to Woody, but Captain Marvel tells him to stay patient

BRYAN ROBSON has told Jonathan Woodgate he’s got it easy as Boro boss compared to the days he was in the hot-seat. Former England captain Robson had to ask chairman Steve Gibson for a water dispenser for the dressing room...only for a player to put goldfish in it. Then, when the fish were stolen, skipper Nigel Pearson carved replacements out of a carrot.

Woodgate has inherited the hot-seat at a club

Robson put on the map two decades ago, leading them to three cup finals and signing stars like Fabrizio Ravanelli and Juninho.

“I was proud of what we did at Boro. I believe we didn’t get credit,” Robson (below) said. “But going to three cup finals and not winning one of them was a major disappointment.”

Gibson has a record of giving a chance to new managers, like Robson, Gareth Southgate, Steve Mcclaren and Aitor Karanka. Robson said: “Steve thought Jonathan Woodgate could do a similar job. Get them back into the Premier League.” But Woodgate has struggled.

Boro today entertain West Brom, where Robson launched his playing career.

“A bad start is never easy for the rest of the season,” said Robson, labelled Captain Marvel as a player.

“You need around three years to build the squad you want. Steve Gibson has always given managers time. He let me get on with it. I got the water cooler! And the dressing room painted from musty yellow to white. Ayresome Park was a wreck and we couldn’t ruin the pitch, so trained in parks. The staff would find the best surface and pick up dog muck before we arrived. It’s a different club

now.”