WE NEED BOSS BACK, THEN THE FANS
Warnock on the mend but empty stands put Boro’s future in doubt
COVID victim Neil Warnock returned to Middlesbrough training yesterday after 10 days of isolation, but will not be in the dugout at QPR.
Warnock has done laps of his garden in his rented house next to the Boro training complex after ordering an exercise bike to improve his well-being.
Assistant coach Kevin Blackwell says Warnock, 71, is on the road to recovery – and warned that football now has to find a solution to getting fans back into grounds.
Blackwell said: “Neil will be in on the team meetings and speaking to the players. We can hear the improvement in him every day, but we will let him recharge and be 100 per cent before being at a game.
“We are not looking for him to travel. He has been on a fitness bike, doing his exercise. He has done circuits of the garden too.
“It can strike anyone, anywhere, any place. My daughter is a senior A&E nurse and she says there is an upturn in the virus.”
Boro had fans back at the Riverside last week for the game with Bournemouth in a test event.
Blackwell says it was a massive success and the Government need to rethink their move to halt the return of fans to grounds that was announced this week.
He said: “Any business which cannot sell their product is doomed to failure. We are bitterly disappointed it has been denied. The test was well run and the feedback from fans was great.
“It was a definite improvement. It added to the quality of the game. How can we go through this run with no income? I hope there is a review and we can get fans back.
“Clubs give fans something to live and look forward to. The he psychological damage of losing g it is great. A club is the hub of society. ety. People look to their clubs to pick ick them up. We need a solution.”
Boro have new signing Chuba ba Akpom available and Grant Hall, ll, who joined last month from m QPR, has given an insight into how to beat them.
“Akpom has slipped in well,” said Blackwell. “A smashing lad. He has the capability of being the top marksman. He wants a good start and an early goal.”
ONLY WAY IS UP Experienced Neil Warnock enjoyed promotion to the top flight with QPR (above)