Bryan Robson revealed yesterday that he expects to get the sack if he

fails, even though Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson is a close friend.

The Boro boss, under pressure from a section of unhappy fans, denied that their six-year partnership means he is fireproof at the Riverside.

And he insisted that Gibson, who virtually owns the club, would not avoid making a difficult decision if it became necessary.

"People get carried away with the fact that Steve Gibson and I get on well together - and we do," he said.

"We are very similar. And I know what his ambitions are for this club, they are the same as mine.

"But if I don't do the job right then Steve Gibson is not soft enough not to get rid of me. He would do it.

"But I think I have achieved things here and he has certainly done a fantastic job for this club. We will stay together and be as successful as we can this season."

Robson rapped supporters who are now targeting Gibson following a stuttering start in the first ten games.

The lifelong Boro fan, who helped save the club from extinction, has poured around £70m into a new stadium, training complex and the team.

"People should remember what he has done for this club and where the club has come from," said Robson. "They are forgetting all that.

"We have had a bad time with injuries but we're only six points behind the team in fourth place.

" Our away form is good and we're looking solid.

"But some of the players have lost a bit of confidence at home. That concerns me and we've got to get it right.

"All I want is a settled side for half-a-dozen games without having to make three changes every week. Then we will put results together. We will turn it round."

But Robson takes his bottom-five side to Ipswich today without leading players.

Five-goal Alen Boksic is kept out by knee ligament trouble and skipper Paul Ince will not play after spending five days in hospital following surgery to clear up a knee infection.

Record signing Ugo Ehiogu will be out for another two weeks with a calf strain after lasting just five minutes of his £8m debut last Saturday.

Robson will stick with £2.5m former Real Madrid midfielder Christian Karembeu, despite an unimpressive start.

"Christian got a lot of criticism after our defeat by Newcastle and he was poor," he said. "Afterwards he told the doctor he was ill early in the game but he said nothing to me at half-time.

"He's an experienced player and should have said something. But he didn't because we were losing and he didn't want it to look like he was ducking out.

"Christian wants to succeed in the Premiership. He did well last week at Charlton and I'm happy with him."

Andy Campbell will continue up front with Brian Deane and Hamilton Ricard, with 18-year-old Argentinian Carlos Marinelli on the bench.

Robson praised England under-21 striker Campbell after he deputised for Boksic last week.

"I'm very pleased with Andy, he was always a threat and could have had two penalties on another day.

"Ipswich have started well. They have something to prove in the Premiership and are on a good early run. But my lads are confident and I feel we can get a good result."

Mark Summerbell will take over from Ince in midfield with Gianluca Festa continuing at the back in place of Ehiogu.

Meanwhile Ince could have just one game in which to prove himself to England boss Peter Taylor after his injury.

The 33-year-old midfielder is desperate to extend his international career as long as he can, but he is now facing a race against time to make himself available for the friendly in Italy on November 15.

Ince is suspended for the visit of Arsenal to the Riverside next weekend, and that means the following week's fixture - against former club Manchester United at Old Trafford - represents his only possible chance to prove his readiness for England.

Taylor has already indicated he is ready to give youth a chance in Turin, and while Boro boss Bryan Robson is confident his captain can still do a job for his country, he is more concerned about having him at the heart of his side as they attempt to resurrect their season.