Southgate - I can take it

Boro boss unfazed by abuse

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 23rd March 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Southgate - I can take it

Southgate: Under pressure

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Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate insists he can take any abuse aimed at him.

Following defeat at Stoke, Boro are four points adrift of safety, having recorded just one league win this year and now need a huge about-turn in their fortunes to maintain their top-flight status.

Visiting fans voiced their annoyance at the team, but particularly Southgate, at the Britannia Stadium - but the former England star insists he is more than happy to take it.

"I'm a fighter so you never lie down and my job is to lift everybody else," said Southgate.

"You accept people are going to be abusive. It's unfortunate but I'd rather it be aimed at me than the team because I can handle it."

Southgate remains calm about his own future, adding: "If the chairman thinks there's a need for change - and change would help - then he'll do it.

"He's an incredibly supportive person with a very stable football club but he's also a ruthless businessman."

Downing backing

Stewart Downing was quick to back Southgate following the fans' criticism.

"This week was not the first time. The fans started to turn on us last week and that's the way it is going to be. They are going to get angry and frustrated. I know a few of the players got it," said Downing.

"The fans are angry and I don't just think that it is at this club, the fans would do that at any club down there in our position. The fans can shout as much as they want but we need results, we need them behind us.

"The only way we will get results is if they're behind us and not against us.

"They have every right to be frustrated, they travelled down here and paid the money.

"But I honestly don't think they were annoyed at the performance, just frustrated that we lost the way we did. I can understand how they feel, it was a three-hour drive for nothing."