Since arriving at the Boro in a package deal with Chris Killen and Willo Flood, Barry Robson has made 16 appearances in a Boro shirt and scored five goals.
A passionate player with a blistering shot and a fondness for yelling at everyone during a game, Strachan included, Robson has established himself as a firm fan favourite and one of the first names on the team sheet.ComeOnBoro.com's Elle Brunton caught up with Boro's man of the moment.
EB: You've recently acquired the captain's armband in the absence of Gary O'Neil, is that something you enjoy?
BR: Gary's the captain, I'd prefer it if he was playing.
EB: But you are very vocal on the pitch, and do a certain amount of team organisation anyway...
BR: He's a good captain, I'm just filling in at the moment.
"There should be eleven captains on the pitch anyway, so it doesn't make a difference.
"I'd rather Gary was playing and fit, I can play in the middle or play on the wing, but that's the most important thing.
"Like Big Mick, and Scott McDonald, he shouts, we are just used to shouting at each other quite a lot but we all want the same thing, to get the club back where it should be."
EB: You mentioned Scott McDonald, he got the winning goal against Sheff Wed and looks like he's getting there with his fitness now?
BR: "It's been hard for him, he's been injured, but he'll always score goals. he got the goal last week, maybe he got a bit of luck, but we deserved a bit of luck and we've got three major games coming up.
"He's fine, he's going to the World Cup, probably, but he'll be looking to get a couple more games in, and a couple more goals.
"He needs to keep himself fit to get the goals for us.
"I'm not saying we are the greatest players in the world, but we are here to help the lads be better players and get the club back where it should be.
EB: Adam Johnson used to take our penalties, you have scored a couple now and seem to be our natural choice now...
BR: It doesn't bother me taking penalties, as long as I score them!
"If it's there then i'll just take it, I'll do it as long as I can.
"If I feel I'm not taking them well, probably if I miss a few, then I'll let someone else take them, but whoever takes them you need to score goals!
EB: We heard a lot about this mysterious virus at the club, did it have a massive impact on the squad?
BR: Nothing surprises me when it comes to viruses or illnesses at the moment.
"We lost a few players for massive games, you need all your players fit [for a promotion push] so it's not a great situation. But you've just got to get on with it.
"I'd rather have O'Neil playing, Willo Flood was great before he got injured, Justin Hoyte is doing a terrific job, and Tayls when he's in, everyone's doing their job.
"Rhys has done well, he has a pelvic problem but he's playing.
"And Chris Killen, hopefully we can keep him fit too because he'll go to the World cup as well and then hopefully we can keep him."
EB: You and McManus are usually contenders for man of the match, and there was a little bit of banter between the two of you recently regarding a misunderstanding.
BR: "Ha which game was that?
Dave Allan, Media & Communications Manager for MFC: I think it was Plymouth away.
BR: Oh aye, (laughs) It doesn't matter, really, you just want to win the football match.
"You get games where you're not playing well, and you know within the first five or ten minutes if you're not doing it.
"But that's when you need to work harder, dig in, you just do the best you can.
A natural leader, Robson is a definite candiate for Player of the Season, hopefully he can continue his win streak as captain this evening against West Brom.
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 17/4/2010
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