Middlesbrough’s Friend wants to make Riverside a fortress
Middlesbrough’s George Friend believes his side need the entirety of Teesside behind them if they’re to make the Riverside a fortress this season.
Boro were beaten 1-0 by Watford on Sunday afternoon and sit 17th in the Premier League with six points from their opening eight games.
The defeat was their third in a row at home, the first time that has happened in seven years, and means they are without a Premier League win at home since April 2009.
Friend has called on the entire club to pull together if they’re to recreate the strong home form that saw them promoted from the Championship last season.
(Lindsey Parnaby/AFP/Getty Images)
“If you look at our recent record at the Riverside we’ve been so good at home but this is the Premier League now,” said the 28-year-old.
“It’s a bit tougher; teams can turn up away from home and produce a good performance.
“We need to get back to that feeling at the Riverside that fortress-feeling and that involves the fans, players, staff everyone in the football club and outside.
“We need that spirit of Teesside to see us through and I’m sure we can have it because there’s been many special times here and there will be many more.”
