They may sit within touching distance of the Sky Bet Championship play-off picture might Middlesbrough, but their fans aren’t happy one bit.
Performances, players, manager – all seem to be getting the stick, yet much of the criticism is levelled at Garry Monk from the Boro fans.
Monk joined the Teessiders from Leeds United, fresh after turning the latter around last season. In turning Leeds from almost perennial non-runners to last season’s nearly-rans, Monk became the first manager of the Cellino era to see out a full campaign.
His reinvigoration of the Whites fortunes drove the West Yorkshire side into the play-off picture, a picture only left tattered after a late-season drop in form that saw them end up missing the play-offs by a single place.
Leeds didn’t offer Monk the kind of guarantees that he sought, so he left the club and headed for Middlesbrough and the Riverside. Boro fans were full of hope, that Monk was the man to fire them back into the Premier League at the first time of asking. That hope seems to be fading somewhat.
A 2-1 defeat to Millwall at The Den has thrown Monk to the Boro lions, and these lions are ready to savage their ‘leader’.
Middlesbrough fans react to loss and Garry Monk situation
Pretty much certain that Boro fan Stephen is less than impressed with what was offered up against Millwall today.
https://twitter.com/insidemfc/status/942075372673347584
Seems the brown stuff is on the mind of most Boro fans tonight, especially this one.
Holy shit we are terrible. Can kiss any hopes of play offs goodbye unless things change….. But UTB anyway 😧
— Steve caddy (@smoggy_ste) December 16, 2017
Performance criticised here, with something of a sarcastic wink and a nod to one player and the reasoning behind his purchase.
Another poor weekend result wise . At Millwall Boro outfought in first half but at least in the second we discovered that this kid Downing can control a game from centre mid !!! Oh yes that’s why we signed him !!!! UTB
— Jeff Winter (@WinterJeff) December 16, 2017
These fans see that Monk’s position in the dugout at the Riverside might be looking a bit sketchy.
I said it last night, and I'll say it again- no point taking one step forward to then take two steps back. Today we did that. I'll keep backing him till Gibson decides not to, but I have to admit, it's looking precarious for Monk. #borolive #boro #mfc #utb
— Ian Smith (@Smithy_MFC84) December 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/yusufborofan/status/942092188045004801
“We wish you a Merry Christmas…but not Garry Monk.”
I wouldn't want to see anyone lose their job a week before Christmas, but I make an exception for Garry Monk.#UTB #Borolive
— Michael Glasper 🇺🇦 (@michaelglasper) December 16, 2017
When alcohol is the only thing that you can use to block out the pain.
https://twitter.com/brucierioch/status/942078297848057856
Not all fans have lost hope, this one is urging patience.
https://twitter.com/Terrencentro/status/942079262907084800
Final ranty word though goes to this tweet. Nice touch at the end though.
Had enough of pleasing people on here.
That was 90mins of utter shite.
Monk is out of his depth. Player's need to have a long hard look at themselves.
Keep telling me I'm negative. I dare you.
Merry Christmas!
— UTBBoroTV (@UTBBoroTV) December 16, 2017
There’s still plenty of games left in the season, plenty so that Boro can right the listing vessel and hopefully head off on a more even keel towards the play-offs. However, whether Monk will be given that length of games to right the ship is another matter altogether.
