UNITE & FIGHT
BORO PRAYING FOR ANOTHER NORTH EAST MIRACLE
STEVE AGNEW is convinced Middlesbrough can maintain the North East’s recent record of great escapes from Premier League relegation.
Neighbours Sunderland have developed a reputation for coming alive at this time of year, staging improbable late-season rallies to cheat the drop in each of the last four seasons. But with David Moyes’ rockbottom side nine points adrift, it’s left to regional rivals Boro to carry the area’s Houdini hopes.
The second-bottom Teessiders are in major trouble themselves, six points from safety after a 14-game winless streak that sees them in danger of an immediate return to the Championship.
Agnew has taken inspiration from Sunderland’s acts of escapology, and a similar amazing feat by another of his old clubs, Leicester City, the season before they became Premier League Champions last year.
Boro host Arsenal tonight, and the caretaker boss (left) said: “You can get improbable results and rallies this time of the year. It’s happened in recent seasons with both Sunderland and Leicester.
“They have shown that with one win, like the one we’ve been waiting for, it can change lots of things. It can affect other teams around you in the table. That’s what we aim to do. There is no fear within this group of players, they’re ready for Arsenal.
“We know we need to win a game – sooner rather than later.”
As a rookie starting out in management, the 51-year-old can’t understand the criticism from angry Gunners fans aimed at boss Arsene Wenger, who is at the opposite end of his career.
“It’s the nature of the beast, but some of the flak aimed at Arsene is way over the top,” he added. “Unfortunately, it comes with the territory and I’ve had it right from being a young player all the way through my career. It only makes you more determined to succeed.
“Arsenal have had a couple of away defeats of late and we need to try to take advantage of that.”