Sir Bob' furious after the Boro game was postponed

By Matthew Jones
February 2 2003

Newcatle boss, Sir Bobby Robson is seriously thinking ov making a protest after Saturday's game with Middlesbrough was postponed. He believes that everyone at the Riverside were scared of playing the current in-form Newcastle United squad.

Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson has warned that they may make an official protest after Saturday's north-east derby clash with Middlesbrough was postponed.

'Boro called off the game more than 24 hours before the game was due to kick-off at The Riverside Stadium on because of "bad conditions around the ground."

Robson told the BBC's "Football Focus": "I am absolutely furious. How they can call a match off on the Friday beats me.

"There's been very little will shown by Middlesbrough to play the match and they even turned down our request to play it on Tuesday.

"I wouldn't rule out us taking the matter further," he added.

Middlesbrough's form has slipped alarmingly since making a bright start to the season losing 5-2 at home to Aston Villa.

It's ironic when the pitch was perfectly playable. But the decision was out of our hands and we had to abide by it - Said the Boro Boss

It led to suggestions they were keen to avoid playing an on-form Newcastle.

But Boro manager Steve McClaren hit back and said: "The first I knew about the decision was when a club official came across the training pitches to tell me.

"I was busy preparing my players for the big game and had no idea the match was in doubt."

McClaren added: "When you lose a game like that, you want to play again quickly and I thought it would be the perfect time to play Newcastle.

"Gareth Southgate was fit to return, we would have had Malcolm Christie and Chris Riggott in the squad for the first time and I had no new injury worries, so we would have been up for it.

"Of course, it's ironic when the pitch was perfectly playable. But the decision was out of our hands and we had to abide by it."