Saturday 21 November 2015 09:15, UK
Aitor Karanka admits he cannot understand the frustrations of Middlesbrough supporters after their team eventually snatched a late victory over QPR.
The home fans booed on Friday night as Boro struggled to break down an organised side which was relegated from the Premier League only last season.
Grant Leadbitter's 94th-minute penalty gifted the Teessiders their 10th win of the season as they climbed up to third in the Sky Bet Championship table.
"They have to trust these players the way I trust them," said boss Karanka. "I know how demanding they (the fans) are. They have expectations.
"But two years ago, we had 12,000 people here watching us and we were fighting relegation. Now we have Premier League teams coming here and setting up like that.
"I can't understand their frustration when we are now one point from the top of the table.
"We play Everton in the League Cup next week after beating Manchester United and now we're beating QPR who were last season in the Premier League. I can't say anything bad about our supporters, but we have to work hard to get the win sometimes.
"I'm proud because teams like QPR are coming to the Riverside and playing that way, it means we must be doing something right."
QPR were denied what would have been a deserved point after referee Chris Kavanagh had no option but to award the home side a late penalty.
Leroy Fer saw red after he handled Daniel Ayala's close-range shot and Leadbitter did the rest with a cool spot-kick under pressure.
Kevin Blackwell, standing in for Neil Warnock, who hadn't made the trip to Teesside for "personal reasons", was pleased with the display.
"It was a thoroughly professional performance away from home," he said. "We set ourselves in a certain way, we had players who hadn't played for a while, but their commitment and endeavour to work to the plan was excellent.
"We grew into the game and we could have gone two or three up 15 minutes into the second half. But in games like this it is all about one decision and one goal.
"The players can be pleased with themselves. Our fans stood and applauded them at the end."
