Southgate - No big spending

Boro boss confidence in existing squad

By Laura Slatcher   Last updated: 13th July 2008

Gareth Southgate ITV

Southgate: Budget-buying

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Gareth Southgate believes that his Middlesbrough side can be successful in the Premier League without spending big.

The Boro manager is determined not to plunge the club into debt and insists they can make an impact with the existing squad.

Despite the club-record £12.7million signing of Afonso Alves in January, Southgate is now set on buying players on a tighter budget.

Southgate has made two signings so far this summer with the £4million capture of French midfielder Didier Digard from Paris St Germain and the £3.2million signing of Dutch winger Marvin Emnes from Sparta Rotterdam.

Fantastic challenge

"It's not right for me to go out and spend money if we haven't got it," Southgate told the Daily Star Sunday.

"I want to work within what we've got. Bryan (Robson) and Steve (McClaren) spent big money but we've had good money to spend as well.

"Now you've got new owners at different clubs and it gives them enormous spending power.

"But it's a fantastic challenge for us to compete with them. If you look at what Bolton and Blackburn have done - and Reading when they finished eighth - it's possible to achieve things."

Downing staying put

Southgate is quick to defend his decision to buy winger Emnes insisting that he is not a replacement for Stewart Downing who is reportedly being targeted by Liverpool.

"Stewart is very happy here and signed a long-term contract last season," added Southgate.

"We want to build a team that encourages him to stay longer."