ON the day Middlesbrough fans began to court the affections of Terry Venables, skipper Paul Ince was quick to remind them of the other man in their lives.

Bryan Robson is the manager who innocently invited the worldly Venables into his home in a desperate attempt to patch up his crumbling marriage to Teesside's football public.

But now, as Venables' tender loving care of the Boro household woos the faithful, Robson is faced with ultimate rejection from those who for so long held him closest to their hearts.

"Terry, Terry, give us a wave,'' was the resonant cry at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday as Boro headed for their biggest win in over two years against a Derby side who scored as many here exactly 12 months ago when Robson's relationship with the fans truly started to turn sour.

Under head coach Venables, Boro are now unbeaten in their last seven games in League and Cup.

During that sequence, they have conceded only twice - a disputed penalty and an own goal - and the eclipse of relegation rivals Derby saw Boro move out of the Premiership's bottom three for the first time since October.

They were bottom before Venables began preparing and selecting the team and it is clear he is now indispensable, even though his contract only runs until the end of the season.

Midfield driving force Ince, back to his best against Derby, is among the first to acknowledge the Venables Factor.

But he is annoyed by the way Robson, who rescued him from a miserable time at Liverpool in the summer of 1999, has become the forgotten man.

Ince said: "It annoys me when people say it's Tel this and Tel that. It's not all down to Terry.

"Obviously he has a major influence over the way we play, but our gaffer, Bryan Robson, is still playing an integral part at the club.

"They worked together with England at Euro '96 and they're doing exactly the same with Middlesbrough.

"Tel has come in and things have turned around. People say it's all thanks to him, but the gaffer should get just as much praise. They're a partnership.

"This was the first time since the win at Southampton in September, that we've been able to enjoy the last few minutes of a game.

"We looked like a good side and passed the ball well. Now we've got to keep believing we're a good team.''

But it took a dubious penalty three minutes before half-time to open the floodgates after a stagnant start to proceedings.

Alen Boksic bagged the first of his two goals when he coolly beat Mart Poom after Derby skipper Darryl Powell was adjudged to have impeded the Croatian striker as he tried to get on the end of Hamilton's Ricard's curling left-wing cross.

Boro looked to have an indisputable penalty claim when Ince was brought down by Horacio Carbonari just before the break, but this time they were out of luck.

Ince, however, was involved when they extended their lead on the hour. The England international hoisted a free-kick out to Christian Karembeu on the right and the Frenchman cleverly controlled the ball on his chest before volleying across goal for defender Ugo Ehiogu to head home from close range.

Boksic headed against the bar from a Dean Gordon corner six minutes later, but scored his ninth goal of the season - and fourth in as many games - in the 81st minute when he broke clear to drive past Poom at his near post after being released by Robbie Mustoe.

Venables withdrew Boksic almost immediately and replacement Brian Deane was felled by Youl Mawene in injury time, enabling Ricard to convert his first Premiership goal this term from the resultant spot-kick.

Former Boro boss Colin Todd, assistant at Derby to Jim Smith, felt the the first penalty award was "very harsh'' and said of his old club: "With the amount of money they've spent and the quality of their players, Boro shouldn't be in the position they're in.''

With Venables in charge, the chances are they won't be there much longer.

But what happens when he returns to the world of television to help launch ITV's 'match of the day' next season?

It seems certain Boro chairman Steve Gibson will attempt to retain his services - even if only on a three-day week.

But, would it then be realistic to expect the fans to welcome Robson back with open arms? Stay tuned, folks