Jonathan Woodgate delivers message to Middlesbrough fans and verdict on Steve Gibson comments

The Teessiders appeared to be heading for all three points before Forest striker Lewis Grabban scored a debatable equaliser three minutes from time.

Woodgate thought the goal should have been disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Aynsley Pears, while opposing boss Sabri Lamouchi disagreed.

The result left Boro inside the Championship’s relegation zone after 10 league games without a win.

“We showed character and determination from every single player to get on the ball,” said Woodgate after the match.

“We went down to 1-0 and it’s tough but your players bounce back and I thought we deserved to win the game.”

Many supporters have become frustrated with the club’s situation, yet fans stuck with their team despite falling 1-0 behind.

When asked about his side’s supporters, Woodgate said: “Again, I thought they were fantastic.

“They see the players doing everything they can possible to try and win the game, so the fans are going to stay with you if you do that.

“All fans will moan about certain situations and I totally understand that, I get what they want.

“But at the minute we need them, we need them as a football club. We don’t need people getting on the back of players, we need them to be positive.

“We’ve got 10 games to go so we need them more than ever now.”

Woodgate was also asked about Boro chairman Steve Gibson who has publicly backed his head coach despite recent results.

“Unbelievable, I’m lucky to have a chairman as good as him,” said Woodgate when asked about Gibson.

“A lot of managers in this league don’t even know the chairman, have never met them before in their life.

“I’ve got a chairman who is standing by his manager and that’s fantastic.

“He realises it’s difficult and it is tough with the players we’ve lost in different transfer windows.

“Don’t get me wrong we should be doing better than what we are there’s no getting away from that.”