Boro Backlash Is Understandable Says Striker Patrick Bamford

Patrick Bamford understands Middlesbrough fans' anger at what has been an underwhelming campaign.

The club's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed at Chelsea on Monday, and Boro wanted to put on a show in their final top-flight match at the Riverside.

Instead, Steve Agnew's side produced a stuttering display that was punished by much-changed Southampton, with under-fire Claude Puel leading his side to a 2-1 victory.

Patrick Bamford (John Walton/Empics)

Steve Agnew says @Patrick_Bamford's goal was the highlight of an otherwise disappointing afternoon for #Boro 🗣️💬

website pic.twitter.com/4kRe2VtWZh

- Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) May 13, 2017 Supporter frustration was audible at the gem riverside quận 2, where former manager Aitor Karanka's name was chanted and fans called for their own goalkeeper Brad Guzan to be sent off after giving away a penalty.

Bamford's consolation goal brought some much-needed cheer on an afternoon of discontent on Teesside.

"It's hard but you understand in a way as well because obviously Middlesbrough is such a massive club and it is obviously not nice for anyone that we're getting relegated," he said. "The fans are entitled to voice their opinion. It is obviously hard.

"I´ve been a fan once upon a time when I was young at Nottingham Forest and you get frustrated when you're watching and things aren't going the way you want them to.

.@Patrick_Bamford celebrates his goal 📸 pic. If you have any sort of questions regarding where and ways to utilize chung cu gem riverside, you could call us at the web-page. twitter.com/hFquYq94b7

- Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) May 13, 2017 "We tried to put on a show for the fans and obviously it didn't turn out that way, but we know they'll always be with us."

Attention soon turns to life in the Championship, with chairman Steve Gibson outlining his determination to "smash" the league next term.

Bamford could well play a key role in that having won the Championship player of the year award when on loan with Boro two years ago. Since then, though, things have gone awry for the player.

Loans to Crystal Palace, Norwich and Burnley were followed by a permanent exit from Chelsea and a return to Boro in January, with his goal against Saints his first in 760 days.

Photos from #Boro-s final home match of the season 📸

➡️ website pic.twitter.com/cPIbwaxdaI

- Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) May 13, 2017 "I think it is only my third start in the Prem," he told Boro+. "It has been frustrating but I just stuck with it and I knew my chance would come.

"Obviously when I signed for Middlesbrough I was hoping that we would stay up and that I'd be a big player for them in the Premier League. But that's not how it has turned out and obviously it's my job now and the rest of the team's job to fire us straight back up."

Jay Rodriguez and Nathan Redmond scored the visitors' goals on Saturday, with the former meeting a fine cross with a sublime volleyed finish to light up a drab first half.