STAND-IN skipper Robbie Mustoe reckons manager Bryan Robson deserves more recognition for the role he has played in Middlesbrough's struggle against relegation.

Boro have lost only twice in 14 Premiership games since the arrival of Terry Venables as head coach in December.

Embattled Robson's last game in charge of the first team was the 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.

But ahead of tonight's return match at the Riverside Stadium, long-serving midfielder Mustoe asked the fans to give Robson a break.

Whether Boro stay up or not, Venables is due to leave at the end of the season to become a full-time pundit with ITV.

But Mustoe, deputising for the suspended Paul Ince, echoed his captain's recent call for the Venables-Robson partnership to remain in place.

"A lot has been said about what Terry has done,'' said Mustoe. "We've certainly been more organised as a team and he's tried different systems.

"It's been a strange season. A top coach has come in which has been good - it stopped the rot.

"I would love him to stay. He's done very well with us and he's easy to get on with. Results show he's made a big difference on the coaching side.

"But it's been a joint effort. Bryan Robson has been involved with everything that has happened on the training ground.

"Obviously Terry's fresh ideas and experience have helped us, but I don't think Bryan has received the credit he deserves.

"He's had a rough ride and it's very easy for people to say that it's all down to Terry Venables.

"But Bryan chips in every day with bits and pieces and it is a team effort.

"We've had no indication what will happen in the summer. It's not really on our minds at the moment.''

Mustoe points to Boro's poor home form this season - they have won only three League games and lost six at the Riverside - as the reason for their plight.

"It's been a disaster of a League campaign,'' he admitted.

"The home form has been a problem. It's been a big disappointment and it's the major reason we are where we are.

"That's why we've struggled and this is an opportunity to get things back on track.

"We've got to put it right because if we continue to do poorly at home, we could go down.

"It's going to be crucial for us the way we perform at home between now and the end of the season.

"I think we deserve to stay up and if we keep playing the way we have since we lost at Sunderland, we should stay up.

"Sunderland have had a great season. Peter Reid has done a fantastic job and they've proved they're a very good team. The table doesn't lie.

"It's an important game and if the fans can make it a big-match atmosphere, that will help to drive the players.

"It's also up to us to spark the fans to keep that going during the game.''

Mustoe, 32, who celebrated his testimonial with Boro last summer after ten years on Teesside, was a member of the squad relegated four seasons ago.

He said: "At the start of this season I said the current squad looked like one of the strongest we'd had. On paper it is, but it hasn't worked out that way.

"There's more of a positive feel about the place this time, though. Last time we had the three points deducted and there was a stage where we thought we were going to get them back. When we didn't, it was a big blow.

"I've seen us panicking more than we are now. We're confident we can steer clear of the bottom three.

"But it's a critical situation. It was the same a few years ago when Fabrizio Ravanelli and everyone else was here. It was a disaster to go down then and it could happen again.

"This squad is very similar to the one that went down. Last time we brought in some big names and we struggled to gel. It was a memorable season with the two cup finals, but our form in the league was ultimately very poor and this season has been the same in that respect.

"There haven't been enough goals coming from different areas of the team, but I think Terry has been right to concentrate on getting things right at the back.

"At times this season we've been a bit gung-ho and we've been punished.

"Terry doesn't want to do too much going forward in case we lose discipline at the back.

"He's rekindled my enthusiasm. I love watching him as a coach. I've done my UEFA B licence as a coach; I wouldn't say I'm definitely going to be a coach, but it's something I'm considering.

"I haven't been a regular in the team, but I've been there if Terry has needed me and I'm involved at the moment because Incey is suspended.

"I've got one more season left on my contract and whatever happens I'd like another one.''