The interesting managerial approach Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has taken ahead of Stoke City clash

Boro have eight games in December and are preparing for this weekend’s trip to Stoke in the Championship.

Warnock is trying to manage his thin squad as best he can and hopes some time away from the training pitch will allow his players to recharge their batteries.

“We haven’t done anything, we all had a day off yesterday, all had a holiday,” said Warnock during Friday’s press conference.

“I think Paddy (McNair) and some of the lads had nine holes of golf, I was going to have nine holes of golf but I saw it raining and thought not for me.

“If we lose at Stoke you can blame the golf,” he laughed.

When asked about the importance of rest following a busy run of games Warnock added: “Rest is just as important as what fitness is.

"I see a lot of people, especially younger, managers have all the stats and things, warm-downs and everything.

“My logic has always been if you are going to bring someone in, driving an hour, hour and a half, there and back to do a little warm-up then surely you have to trust your players.

“I ask them to go and have a walk, take their dogs out, get the lactic acid out but I think rest is just as important.

“They put a big shift in on Wednesday night.”

Warnock also says he trusts his players to do the right things on their days away from Rockliffe.

If they are not doing right then they know what is going to happen,” added Warnock. “They are aware of the other side of the coin but I don’t think I have them type of lads.

“It’s like Christmas day, a lot of clubs will be training on Christmas day but we won’t because I trust them.

“I trust them so I hope they don’t let me down, as long as they have a walk to get that lactic acid out the day after a game, but they don’t need to do anything drastic.”

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