LONDON The middle-aged man tapping on the Wimbledon Steward's shoulder wore an uncharacteristically despondent look.

The official looked round, did a double-take, and then waved Middlesbrough Head Coach Terry Venables down the tunnel after last week's 3-1 extra-time FA Cup defeat against Wimbledon.

They do not roll out the red carpet for the former Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and England boss any more -- least of all at Selhurst Park, which Wimbledon rent off Venables's former club, Crystal Palace.

Venables left a bad taste in the mouths of many Palace fans when he left the club in January 1999, one year into a five-year contract.

"Where's all the money?" was the least cutting of several barbed comments aimed at Venables as he picked his way through the puddles of mud along the Selhurst Park touchline.

Forget all the talk of Venables Performing miracles down by the Riverside, Middlesbrough are still deep in the mire.

(Reuter)