WE all wish Middlesbrough and their manager Bryan Robson well this afternoon as they try to avoid their eighth successive defeat.

It is only natural that, with their team showing relegation form, the fans have been vocal in their criticism; it is also only natural that, having suffered so many injuries, Mr Robson feels he should be judged when he has had a chance to field his first choice team.

It is undoubtedly the case that he has done a fine job in his six-and-a-half year spell at the club. He has been instrumental in the Boro revolution, which has transformed the club from a homely backwater into a big player in the modern commercial game.

Throughout his playing career, both at club level and for England, Mr Robson showed himself to be a remarkably brave man. There were countless times when he played on with his shoulder hanging out of its socket or when covered in blood - he did earn the nickname Captain Marvel.

Throughout his management career, he has also shown himself to be brave, spending huge sums of money on world class players in an attempt to take Middlesbrough to the top - an attempt that has proven at least partially successful in winning two promotions and reaching three Wembley cup finals.

But now all Boro fans will hope that, when the time comes, he is brave enough to admit to himself that, having given the job his very best shot with no little success, it is right to move on.