By Bernie Slaven
It's great news that Albert Adomah is back off the naughty step and in training with Boro - but now the hard work really begins for him.
Because believe me, when you come back in from the cold there can still be a frosty atmosphere with the gaffer.
That means you have to work harder, longer and better to impress him and the coaches if you want to get make playing again.
You have to work your socks off to get back in the good books and harder still to get back in the team. It can be tough.
Albert should slot back into the squad quite quickly. It’s not like he has been out of the loop for ages like Scott McDoanld was under Tony Mowbray.
He’s only missed a few weeks and that was an international break when the whole squad hasn’t been there anyway.
But it will still be awkward for him. He will have to expect a lot of ribbing from the players.
They will all be pulling his leg about being told off and sent to bed without supper and making sarcastic remarks about him wearing a dunce’s cap.
That’s all part of the banter on the training ground but it will all be good natured and it will only be a few days then people will move on.
At the end of the day, he’s their friend and colleague and they will all welcome him back.
I know. I’ve been there.
But I also know it is far more difficult to square things with the gaffer. Boy do you have to work.
I’d been isolated and been training with my boot boy when I had a bust up with Lennie.
It was a personality difference - he never had one! - but I knew when I got back into the squad I would have to bust a gut.
A football squad is always very competitive. You are mates but you are also battling for a starting place so there are loads of guys in there who want a shirt - YOUR shirt!
And if you have fallen out with the boss you have to work extra hard to impress him and to give him a reason to pick you.
So when I went back I was determined to sweat blood in training.
I was never the greatest runner but if we did long distance stuff I’d make sure I was up at the front. I remember barging past Higgy and Jon Gittens - both fit guys - and made sure I stayed there.
You have to do that. You have to make sure the boss can’t leave you out.
And you can’t be moping or moody. You have to be upbeat. I made sure that even though it had hurt me to be bombed out that I never showed it.
I joined in with everything. I smiled. I laughed. Never moaned. Never dragged my heels in a training exercise. I got my head down and worked hard and I hope Albert does that too because that is the quickest way back.
You have to show you are physically and mentally ready to be picked and not give for a second give the manager a reason to doubt you or an excuse to not pick you.
And when you do get back in you have to play out of your skin.
I’m sure if Albert comes on the fans will chant his name as he hasn’t burnt any bridges with them.
He was playing well before he was dropped. He was winning the plaudits. He is a popular and creative player and important to the team and I think most supporters would want him back in and contributing.
But it is the manager he has to convince. In training and then when he gets his chance on the pitch he has to do the business.
If he does, if he plays well, scores goals or sets a few up, then that will give Aitor Karanka the chance to say ‘well done’ and then we can all move on.
Budding players are invited to come and learn from some top former professionals at the Reds Football Academy.
Myself, Gary Pallister, Craig Hignett and Curtis Fleming are running fun sessions for boys and girls aged six to 16 at the new Middlesbrough Sports Village at Prissick Base.
There are two-hour long sessions which take place on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5.30-7.30.