Rob Edwards’ ‘important’ Middlesbrough meeting and ‘good feel’ for what comes next
ON Monday night, Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards had an important meeting.
It wasn’t with owner Steve Gibson or the recruitment team. It wasn’t with any of his players or with a transfer target.
Edwards went to the Longlands Club, in Middlesbrough, to meet supporter group Red Faction.
“I know how important supporters are to the football club, and to me now too,” explained the head coach.
“I went there to try and understand them more, and better understand what it means to them.
“That’s important and it was a really good chat. We had an hour and a half or whatever, a good chat over a beer, and I really enjoyed it.
“They’re so passionate. It gave me a real good feel for what this club means to everyone up here.
“They talked to me about what they want to see from the lads and what is important to them. I’ve then been able to report some of that back this week to the lads as well, which I think is really good.”
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For Edwards, those on the pitch and those in the stands need to be as one.
“To play for this football club is a real privilege and I want them to continue to try and build a relationship with our supporters because we’re going to be a lot stronger together,” he said.
“We’ll give it everything and we’ve got to deliver our end of the bargain. I know the supporters will deliver theirs.
“I’ve met quite a lot of them over the last few weeks and I’ve been so warmed by the welcome they’ve given. We’ve now got to go and deliver.
“I can’t guarantee a win, as much as I wish I could, but if they see the commitment, effort and passion, I’m confident our fans will get it.
“I’d just ask them to get behind the lads, and hopefully we can give them something to really shout about.
“The fans have been amazing through pre-season so far, memories that are lodged in there forever now – Rangers, for example, was incredible. We’ll try and do our bit, and I know the brilliant supporters will do their bit.”
It all starts today for Middlesbrough, at home to Swansea City.
Boro are still very much a work in progress. They’re still getting to grips with Edwards’ demands and style, and the squad is not yet complete, with more signings to come ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.
With that in mind, it’s difficult to know how Boro will fare this season, but you won’t find Edwards playing down hopes or expectations.
“We’re all prepared and ready to go,” he said.
“I’ve told the players I want them to be brave and enjoy these moments and these occasions.
“At a club like this there should be hope and there should be expectation. We’ve got to put that pressure on ourselves because it’s a big football club. I want our supporters to be able to dream. I certainly won’t discourage that.
“I just want them to have a bit of realism as well. This is a difficult league. But we’ve got a good group, and by the end of the window, I think we’ll be in a strong position to give a really good account of ourselves.
“This club has been in and around the top end of the table for the last few seasons and I certainly don’t want us dropping away from that.
“I want us to be competing at that top end, and I believe we can be. But I also know it’s a really challenging league with a lot of teams that will fancy themselves to be up there. Time will tell.
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