'There were times I woke up at 2am': Neil Warnock shares huge relief after Middlesbrough secure Championship safety at Sheffield Wednesday

Neil Warnock says he always tried to stay positive during Middlesbrough’s fight for survival - even when the situation looked bleak.
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Boro secured their Championship status with a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, despite falling behind to Jacob Murphy’s 10th-minute opener.

Paddy McNair’s equaliser and Britt Assombalonga’s stoppage-time winner meant Boro finished 18th in the table, four points clear of the relegation zone.

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Still, it hasn’t been straightforward for Warnock who took charge with eight games to go at the end of last month.

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock.Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock.
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock.

When asked if there was a low point during the relegation battle, Warnock replied: “I don’t think I would have been in the game for 40 odd years if I thought that.

"You are always the one person when you’re the manager who has to be positive every day, yes there were times after the Bristol City game where I woke up at 2 o’clock in the morning and tossed and turned.

"I was going back to the Hull City winner, things like that in my mind which was criminal, the goals we conceded, after four minutes on Saturday against my old club.

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“There are a lot of things that go through your mind but as a manager you haven’t got time to dwell, you have to get the best out of what you’ve got and be looking at the next game.

“Sheffield Wednesday is always a good club and a good ground for me to come to, being a Blade it’s always nice, I usually get a nice welcome here but not tonight.”

Warnock has won four of his eight games at Boro, all away from home.

When asked what it means to keep the Teessiders up, Warnock said: "I’m delighted for the fans and everyone at home, after the QPR and Bristol City games there was a lot of doom and gloom.

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"It’s nice tonight, I think the lads have done a fabulous job, unfortunately they are all away from home.

"Four wins on the trot away from home, I don’t think I’ve done that in my career before, it’s a tremendous achievement.”

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