The reception Southampton's Finn Azaz told to expect from "ruthless" Middlesbrough fans on Saturday | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit spoke on the reception he feels Finn Azaz will receive from Boro fans at Southampton this weekend.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Finn Azaz will be facing off against his old Middlesbrough teammates, and indeed fans, when his Southampton side welcome Rob Edwards' table-toppers to St Mary's this weekend.

There's a juicy subplot unfolding for Southampton's clash with Middlesbrough on Saturday.

It will, if he plays that is, mark the first time Finn Azaz will face off against his old Boro side, after making a £12m potentially rising to £14m move from the Riverside Stadium to St Mary's this summer.

The versatile attacking midfielder joined Middlesbrough in January 2024, and bagged 17 goals as well as 16 assists in 68 total appearances for the Teessiders, and was an integral part of Michael Carrick's team.

However, despite his impressive goal contribution and chance-creation numbers, the Republic of Ireland international didn't totally warm to large sections of Riverside faithful, as he came in for considerable criticism from Boro fans regarding his work-rate and tendency to go missing in big games.

"He lacked passion" - Southampton's Finn Azaz told what sort of reception to expect from Middlesbrough fans

We asked our Middlesbrough fan pundit, Liam Day: 'If he plays, what kind of reception do you think Finn Azaz will get from the travelling Middlesbrough fans at Southampton this weekend? If it's a negative one, do you think that's fair on him?'

Liam said: "I really can't see him getting a positive one, if I'm honest with you.

"We're quite known as a bit of a ruthless fanbase, I'd say. That was seen with the Morgan Whittaker incident.

"So with a player that's actually left the club for supposedly not being liked at the club, which to be fair, at points, he wasn't, yes, I can see it being quite a negative one.

"I don't think he'd even come over and appreciate the fans, if I'm being honest with you though. I could see him even celebrating if he scored, which I think is a bit disrespectful.

"But, if he does, he does. It is what it is. He was a good player when he was here, but you could see at times he lacked a bit of passion and energy on the pitch, and I think that came across.

"It's come across with Southampton fans as well with them complaining a bit. I can see it being quite a negative one, which, is it fair? I don't really know if I'm honest with you.

"I think it's always unfair to criticise your own players, but personally, he didn't do too well. That's my opinion.

"I don't think he deserves it (negative reception), personally, but I think he could get one very easily."

Middlesbrough will feel confident that they know how to stop Finn Azaz this weekend

Azaz' relationship with the Middlesbrough fans, as previously touched upon, wasn't the best, and it's something that Boro's head of football Kieran Scott admitted that the club and the player himself were aware of.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Tees via The Northern Echo, Scott said: "It’s strange (the reception Azaz got from some Boro fans). Finn actually alluded to that.

"I think he felt that people didn’t like him. He had some fans, but there were others who didn’t like him. He did express that.

"It’s strange when a player has those kinds of numbers and that’s how people feel. Listen, everyone is entitled to their views; you pay your money and you see what you see and feel what you feel at the end of the day.

"If that’s how you feel and you express it, it is what it is. But with Finn, I think he felt that a bit, and I think that might have been a part of his reasoning for wanting to move on."

Therefore, it's probably safe to assume he won't be afforded a warm reception by the travelling Red Army at St Mary's this weekend.

Edwards and his coaching team will feel confident that they know how to prevent Azaz from hurting Boro too in relation to his potential shortcomings in the work-rate and energy department.

Middlesbrough will want to force Saints into wide areas as much as possible, congesting the middle of the pitch and preventing Azaz from having the time and space to be the creative force Boro know he can be.

They'll also perhaps be looking to go more direct too, in order to reduce the risk of turning the ball over high up the pitch where Azaz can hurt them, whilst doing everything they can to ensure the game is played at a high tempo, which as discussed, may not suit Azaz.