Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka stands by ‘awful atmosphere' criticism
Thursday 26 January 2017 16:25, UK
Aitor Karanka says he stands by his "awful atmosphere" criticism made after Middlesbrough’s defeat to West Ham last weekend.
He was disappointed with the atmosphere at the Riverside Stadium towards the end of the game, with some fans among a crowd of over 30,000 urging his team to "attack, attack, attack" and others leaving early.
Boro are now without a win in five matches but Karanka says the comments were made as he was looking for respect for his players and urged some fans returning to games at the stadium following promotion from the Sky Bet Championship to keep the faith with the side's playing style.
"It's been the same week as always," he said. "The only thing that I said was that I want respect for my players - that's the most important thing. As a manager, when you have a group of players like them, you can't ask for more.
"They give 150 per cent on the training ground, on the pitch, and when they don't I am trying to bring the best. So I just asked for respect.
"I have been here for three years and when I arrived here we had 10,000-12,000 people at the stadium. The people who went to the Championship, and I know as a supporter you always support your team, but there was 12,000 people.
"Now there are another 18,000 people at the stadium. These players fought to get the Premier League playing in their style. The people coming now are demanding that these players play in another style.
"The last 10 minutes was the best example. We conceded a goal, we didn't create one chance. In the last seasons, we scored I don't know how many goals in the last minute because we always played in the same style. This is how I feel.
"We got promoted last season, we reached the final last season because the people who went to the stadium believed in our style and for that reason we're in the Premier League now.
"Everybody knew that this season was going to be a tough season for everyone. I think it's going really well so far."
And Karanka maintained that he did not regret the comments he made after the loss to the Hammers.
"I have been just three years a coach, but I won't ever regret something I have said to defend the players," he added. "I'm not here to say anything about their interpretations.
"I just said the players deserve everything and, as a player, I've played a few years. To play the last five-10 minutes with the stadium almost empty, I don't think it was good for the players who were doing their best."
