NOEL WHELAN has leapt to the defence of Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren and insisted: "He can't work miracles.''

Boro were booed off as they slipped back into the Premiership's bottom three after the 1-1 home draw with Bolton.

But Whelan, who has shouldered the attacking burden in the absence of leading scorer Alen Boksic by hitting three goals in six games, is issuing a plea for patience to disgruntled fans.

"No manager can work miracles in one season,'' said Whelan. "For a player, it sometimes takes a year to settle at a club and Steve McClaren is still learning about the players he has here.

"I think he has done a good job. He knows he needs to strengthen the squad and the team, and if a player comes along who he thinks can improve things, then he will try to get him.''

Boro's lack of goals is costing them dearly. Whelan scored the opener against Bolton after spurning two glorious chances, but was quick to defend his own strikerate.

"The best strikers in the world miss chances,'' he said. "My ratio in the game was three chances, one goal and I think that stands up against others.

"There has been a lot of emphasis on the strikers scoring, but it would be nice if the midfielders and defenders contributed a bit as well.

"From a personal point of view, I know what I can do. I didn't come here to play in the reserves and sit on the bench. I came here to play week in, week out.

"I feel I've got enough to play in the side. I missed the first half of the season through injury so this is the start of my season and I don't think three goals in six games is a bad return.

"The fans are nervous at the moment, but we have to deal with that. We went to pieces for 20 minutes on Saturday and it has cost us. We have to be stronger than that.

"It's the worst feeling in the world to pick up the papers and see yourself inthe relegation zone.

"But we've got a lot of good players and we're not panicking because we know we can get out of it.

"We have to stay calm. I was at Coventry for four seasons in situations a lot worse than this and I was at Boro last season, so I know what it takes to get out of this sort of position, and we have what it takes.'

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