BOBBY Robson last night backed Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson to beat the boo-boys after his Newcastle side claimed the honours in the Tyne-Tees battle at the Riverside Stadium.

The Boro fans booed Robson off the field after the 3-1 defeat which leaves the Teessiders without a Premiership home win this season.

But Newcastle's Robson believes his namesake and former England captain will turn things around.

"He was my captain of England and has the qualities you need in a battle," he said. "He has fought against disappointment and adversity and he will be ok.

"I will tell him it is only October and he has got to keep going. Keep your morale up and keep going.

"I can understand the feelings of the people,but I don't like it when they turn on the manager. I don't like that in football.

"I saw the Derby-Liverpool game and watched a six-year-old boy wave a placard to get Jim Smith out. Jim is a well respected manager who has done it the hard way.

"We have got to have more dignity and class than that.

"Who knows where Middlesbrough will end up. They were only slightly inferior than us and the second goal finished them off."

Robson though was delighted with his side's impressive victory which pushes them up to third in the table.

Alan Shearer gave them the advantage with his third of the season before Alain Goma grabbed his first for the club and Kieron Dyer his first of the season while Boro responded with an injury-time consolation from Brian Deane.

"I am more than satisfied withthe performance," he added. "We had a good start and built on it.

"We changed our formation and adapated to it in all areas. The midfield were controlled while Aaron Hughes slotted in well in the spare role at the back. He had a touch of Bobby More about him as he read the game so well.

"I was a bit worried about Alen Boksic because he's a fantastic player, but I thought we handled him well. Middlesbrough were beaten by a great side out there."

Boro boss Bryan said he would not quit the club as he added: "We are going away and entertaining 2-3,000 fans, yet we have got 30,000 fans here tonight and need to be entertaining them.

"It was disappointing to lose,but Newcastle were the better team on the night. Thy played very well and the likes of Shearer, Lee and Speed had big games for them.

"We are justlacking the confidence at home. That was the most experienced and solid side I could play and yet I have got people out ther who are not taking the responsibility that they should.

"They are not not trying, but nerves are getting to them and we are not doing things at home that we are doing way.

"We have got to keep keep trying to continue our away form and hope we can turn around our form at home."

l Jonathan Woodgate has revealed the Leeds players will all be thinking of the two supporters murdered on the club's last visit to Istanbul when they face Besiktas tomorrow.

Just over six months have passed since Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight were stabbed to death on the eve of United's UEFA Cup semi-final first leg against Galatasaray.

Now Leeds return to 'the scene of the crime' to face Besiktas in the Champions League, and Woodgate frankly admits ''it is going to be an emotional trip''.