Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate has bizarrely suggested Newcastle and Sunderland fans could be behind the criticism he has faced on social media.
The former Magpies defender took over as manager of his hometown club in the summer but has seen his side struggle so far this season.
Boro find themselves in the Championship relegation zone and have won just two of their opening 16 league games this term. As a result, pressure is mounting on Woodgate to turn things around and he has come under some criticism - particularly on social media.
The 39-year-old guided his side to a valuable point away at QPR yesterday and he praised Boro's travelling support for the backing they gave to him and his players.
But while praising the away support, he also made the suggestion that the social media criticism he has received could well be from Newcastle, Sunderland or Hartlepool supporters moonlighting as Boro fans via anonymous accounts.
“They were unbelievable today,” Woodgate told Gazette Live when asked about Boro's away support.
“We were getting beat and they were shouting my name. It's fantastic. It's brilliant. They've got to be with us and they are with us, that's the encouraging thing.
“The players are not getting booed, I'm not getting booed. Okay, social media has the odd thing, but you get on with that.
“These are the real fans. How do you know who they are on social media? They could be Newcastle fans, Sunderland fans, Hartlepool fans, we don't know who they are, do we? Keyboard warriors?
“These are the proper people. They come down here to QPR to watch the game, then travel home in the p*ssy rain supporting the team, clapping us off.”
