'I do feel let down': Neil Warnock's honest assessment on the dressing room cliques at Middlesbrough

Earlier in the season the Boro boss spoke about the positive atmosphere in the dressing room and how players looked forward to coming into training.

Yet in recent weeks it’s clear there’s been some unrest at Rockliffe, with a handful of players nearing the end of their contracts and some wanting to leave the club.

Following Boro’s 2-1 defeat by QPR, Warnock warned that you can get little cliques in dressing rooms that can cause disruptions at clubs.

“I do feel let down, obviously,” said Warnock ahead of Boro’s trip to Rotherham.

“When I talked earlier in the season everyone was together, then agents will all be talking about futures and what they've got lined up.

"Things change. Your head gets swayed, you've got other things on your mind, and I think it affected some more than others.

“I didn't really see this coming if I'm honest.

“I thought they'd give me everything until the end of the season and then move on but it hasn't worked out like that. I've been disappointed but not surprised, it happens at every club."

Warnock still believes he has a core group of players who he can build around next season, namechecking players such as: Jonny Howson, Grant Hall, Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore who are part of his plans.

Yet the Boro boss admits the next few weeks will be challenging, having to manage players who are set to depart.

“It's not unusual. This happens at most clubs in this time of year,” added Warnock when asked about the dressing room cliques.

"It's human nature to look after yourself. That's why I always think players tend to blame the managers or tactics, they don't look in the mirror and realise they're to blame for a lot.

“I just have to bite my tongue. I thought I'd done enough to get a result at QPR and still think we did enough to win the game.

"It is hard. We just have to keep going. I want to get as many results as possible.

"I'd love to finish in the top 10 but at the minute it looks a difficult ask.”

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Middlesbrough coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor