Robbo came eighth on Saturday. Given it was two-horse race, that may seem a harsh assessment of Bryan Robson's performance at Old Trafford. But this was a different Robbo, the one schooled by Mary Reveley in the north-east rather than by Alex Ferguson in the north-west. The Racing Post verdict on Robbo's effort in the 2.55 at Cheltenham was: "behind, some headway, not a danger."

Somehow those felt appropriate words.

But then our Robbo and his Middlesbrough went to Manchester seeking not just victory but history. This felt like an unfair handicap chase. History has not been Middlesbrough's best friend over the years.

It is 125 years since their formation in the gym of the Albert Park Hoteland in the section where the club lists its honours, there is a lot of room.

They won the old second division in 1927, 1929 and 1974, they won the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1976 and they won, eh, nothing else. In fact "runners-up" is the most frequent phrase in their roll call. Runners-up in various divisions, runners-up in the FA Cup, runners-up in the League Cup, they were even runners-up in the Zenith Data Systems Cup. The fact they list that says something.

But it's better than being a nonrunner. Those clambering aboard the lazy bandwagon circling Robson, including many Boro fans, would do well to remember that Middlesbrough were moments away from the knackers' yard not so long ago. Then two things happened: Steve Gibson took control of the club's finances and he appointed Bryan Robson as Middlesbrough manager. It was May 1994 and Robson was Boro's fourth manager in four seasons.

In the previous month Middlesbrough had entertained Barnsley at the by-then decrepit Ayresome Park in front of 6,368. They had lost in the third round of the FA Cup to Cardiff City. Yes, they were solvent after not being so five years earlier, but they were still poor.

If there is one thing even Middlesbrough's fiercest critics would concede now, it is that they are not poor. Some £80 million spent on transfer fees over the past six seasons is testament to that. Then there is the £25 million spent on moving from Ayresome Park to the newly-constructed Riverside Stadium. Then there is the new, luxurious training ground. Middlesbrough Football Club is modern, wealthy and. . .

At this point the third adjective should be "confident". Should be. Robson, after all, was Captain Fantastic, boyhood hero to practically every Englishman you meet of a certain age. He was, above all, confident and fearless.

Indeed there are traces of audacity in his much-lamented transfer dealings. Juninho, a Brazilian international? Joining Middlesbrough? Yep, Robson just got on a plane to Sao Paulo and did it. Emerson, another Brazilian? Yep, Robson first saw the potential of a man now starring for the champions of Spain, Deportivo La Coruna. Fabrizio Ravanelli. Fabrizio Ravanelli? Of Juventus? The European champions? Yep, deal done.

Those were the days. Robson had led The Boro to the First Division title in his first season as manager.

Now he was jetting off around the globe from little Teesside airport signing players who freely admitted to having never heard of Middlesbrough.

Clearly money talked but still, it was bold. There was little sign of the diffidence and disillusion that was to descend.

But Robson knew otherwise. His new, illustrious personnel continued to train on a school pitch where the dogs had been for their morning walk. Ravanelli complained first. Then he did it again, and again. Then Emerson waved goodbye. Then he came back, then he went again. Then Middlesbrough failed to turn up at Blackburn one Saturday. They got to two Cup finals - unheard of success historically - but they were also relegated. Juninho's tears were on the Elland Road grass. He, too, would have to go.

They went for a profit but Robson faced another start-up. He succeeded with the help of the likes of Merson, Gascoigne and Ziege. But they're all gone now, Middlesbrough haven't won at home since March, Leicester City are next and the question being asked of Robson is why, after almost seven years, there is no sense of coherent development?

It does not feel like an unjust query, true, but all those moaning about MFC should regard the historical context. A home defeat by Bradford on Saturday week and Robson may walk voluntarily. The team will slide further. And by Christmas it'll be: "Ah, remember Robbo. He made some headway."