This Saturday I witnessed the saddest side of football. Row upon row of empty seats in what used to be a proud North-Eastern football home. Middlesbrough FC. Where have all the fans gone since the team's relegation to the Championship? It really is so sad.
But I guess the second saddest thing in Championship football was also witnessed on Saturday. How can one team of officials be so partisan, and so poor? It isn't sour grapes on my part. I am the first to acknowledge when we are poor, when our performances are lacking. But this wasn't the case on Saturday. It didn't seem to matter what we did - the officials were set against us. Middlesbrough's defenders could be dragging back our forwards, in Strictly Come Dancing mode, and the officials would see nothing untoward.
However, the second Marvin Emnes felt the presence of a Leicester City player within a foot of him he would throw himself to the ground and win the free kick. That's not football. That's gamesmanship.
The Leicester lads were magnificent. Yakubu responded to the criticism of late, with a superb hattrick. Chris Weale also responded to being sidelined on the bench with a fine display, including a fine penalty save.
But as always luck was not on our side. A 90th minute equaliser. Such a travesty. However I am heartened by the display. The boys were magnificent. I can't wait for the next game. Bring on Burnley!
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