WE’LL BE GOOD WITH WOOD

Boro are sticking with rookie boss Jonathan – despite losing streak

JONNY HOWSON insists that Middlesbrough can pull clear of a relegation battle.

Pressure grew on rookie head coach Jonathan Woodgate (left) after Boro’s run without a win stretched to eight games with their defeat at Pride Park.

Chairman Steve Gibson, who appointed Woodgate as Tony Pulis’ successor in the summer, is supportive of the first-time boss.

But even Gibson’s patience is surely being tested by a desperate spell of form which has now witnessed a goal drought of six hours and three minutes, leaving Boro third from bottom with only two wins all season.

It might have been different had Britt Assombalonga not wasted a great chance in the second minute.

But 30 minutes later, George Saville compounded Boro’s problems when he was sent off for a challenge on midfield rival Krystian Bielik.

With Saville (right) facing a threematch ban, Boro are now likely to be without six players for Saturday’s visit to QPR, with keeper Darren Randolph, defenders Ryan Shotton and George Friend, and strikers Ashley Fletcher and Rudy Gestede all injured.

But right-back Howson reckons the travelling fans, who Woodgate and his players saluted at the end, showed they are firmly behind their side. over Boro’s plight, Howson admitted: “Of course there is, and as players we understand that and feel it.

“But we’ll stick together and we won’t sulk. We have a good, honest group. Everyone, the lads, the staff, are right with us.

“Sometimes you get an idea of how you’ve done with the number of fans who stayed – and they stayed with us. Everyone is together and that makes it harder sometimes when you care so much.

“We just need a bit more quality and to get ourselves in front in a game.’’ Captain Richard Keogh’s sacking by Derby for “gross misconduct’’ dominated the build-up. And it was forward Tom Lawrence, involved in events that ultimately sealed Keogh’s fate, who grabbed the goals.

Lawrence and team-mate Mason Bennett both pleaded guilty to drink-driving after the September car crash in which Keogh suffered serious knee injuries. The double strike made it three goals for Lawrence since the fateful incident.

And striker Jack Marriott, back in County’s starting line-up for the first time since September 21, insists Lawrence has demonstrated resilience.

Marriott said: “Tom’s doing his talking on the pitch and that’s all he needs to keep doing.

“His performances have shown how strong a character he is.

“We’re a tight-knit group. As a team and as a squad we have to stick together, get through it and put in performances.’’

And Marriott praised boss Phillip Cocu’s handling of a turbulent time.

He added: “The manager is great – he’s been great with us all.’’

TOM-TOM Lawrence navigates his way to goal for the second time