THERE are multiple reasons why Neil Warnock is looking forward to managing in front of a crowd at the Riverside this afternoon.

He has missed the intensity of a matchday with home supporters. He is hoping the support of more than 20,000 Boro fans will inspire his players as they look to claim a first win of the season against Bristol City. And given his disciplinary record over the course of the last four decades, he is also hoping the presence of some background crown noise might save him a few quid.

“I’ve never seen a fan in here,” said Warnock, as he looked ahead to the return of unrestricted crown numbers at the Riverside for the first time in almost a year-and-a-half. “It’ll be good not to be able to hear Blackie (Kevin Blackwell) behind me all the time, moaning. And maybe the referee won’t hear everything I say either…”

Had supporters not been returning in normal numbers, Warnock freely admits he might have called time on his managerial career this summer. He slogged his way through last season, but readily concedes he did not enjoy the experience. On the one occasion when 1,000 home supporters were able to attend the Riverside, for last September’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, he was holed up in his Rockliffe base recovering from Covid.

He relished the presence of around 1,600 travelling fans at Craven Cottage last weekend, and was grateful for the patience shown by the away support at Blackpool on Wednesday as his patched-up side crashed out of the Carabao Cup.

Since taking over as Middlesbrough manager more than a year ago, however, he has been waiting for the chance to soak in the matchday ambience of a raucous Riverside. Today, with home supporters being urged to wear red to show their support for their team, he finally gets that opportunity.

“It’s great having the fans back,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to the noise that they’re going to make. I thought they were outstanding at Fulham. There were nearly 2,000 there and it sounded like 20,000.

“Goodness knows what the stadium will sound like, but I’m hoping it’s going to be rocking. We’re going to need that. We need a bit of help at the minute, so I’m hoping the fans can just give us that bit extra.

“I think it’ll give all the players an extra yard. It makes them quicker. I know the desire should be the same whatever the circumstances, but it isn’t. It isn’t the same when the crowds aren’t in. The crowds insist you have that extra yard, and win that tackle or header.”

Marcus Tavernier should return to the starting line-up today, having recovered from the issue that meant he was restricted to a role on the bench at Fulham, while Sol Bamba could also be part of the matchday squad.

Middlesbrough (3-5-2): Lumley; Hall, McNair, Fry; Dijksteel, Tavernier, Howson, Crooks, Bola; Watmore, Ikpeazu.