Gareth Southgate is under pressure at the Riverside and it’s hardly surprising considering Middlesbrough have gone 10 Premier League games without a win. The Teesside club have picked up just four points during that period and have slipped into the relegation places, and some pundits insist that Boro simply do not have the appetite for a fight.
Middlesbrough surprised a few people at the weekend by overcoming Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup, but regardless of how much the cup means to them their prime objective at this moment in time must surely be to remain in the Premiership.
Southgate, who has been in this position before and survived, has been given a vote of confidence by the chairman, but unlike other chairman Steve Gibson really is a man of his word. But does the former Aston Villa and England defender have the backing of the fans?
The natives are getting restless and, understandably, want to see the club well away from the relegation zone, but Southgate is trying to shape the club by using their talented youngsters and relying on youth, but it’s their lack of experience which really seems to be costing them dearly.
However, one Middlesbrough fan who really admires what Southgate is trying to achieve at the Riverside is Graeme Bandeira and he believes Boro have what it takes to survive.
“Obviously things look very bleak at the moment. Gareth has been in this situation before and survived. When the chairman says he will stick by him he means exactly that so Gareth will be given time to resolve things. Steve Gibson looks at the long term picture and can see that the club has gone through a period of massive transition over recent seasons and he wants to see the team prosper. I am very pleased with what Gareth is trying to achieve here and I will always look long term and try not to panic when things don’t go to plan. I think it's the only way in the current climate. The team is vibrant, energetic and willing to achieve.”
Middlesbrough have one of the youngest squads in the Premiership with just seven players aged 25 or over, with Chris Riggott being the club's most senior player at the tender age of just 28. It is a significant shift in policy since Steve McClaren’s days in charge when he relied on a number of senior professionals. Gareth Southgate deserves to be praised for what he is trying to implement at the Riverside, but ultimately the fans want to see their team win and be playing in the Premier League.
Graeme, whose favourite Boro player of all time is Bernie Slaven, believes he knows what is missing at the club, and is confident that Southgate will be able to turn the club’s fortunes around.
“I think the team lacks a real leader. This has been evident all season. At times we are naive and don’t use the ball correctly especially in the latter stages of games where we have been punished more than enough, which has cost us vital points. The team is young, inexperienced and despite Gareth's leadership qualities, somehow, they aren't being transposed onto the pitch. The horrendous run we are having at the moment is not unusual. What concerns me most is the amount of goals we are conceding. We never seem to have a settled defence to form an understanding, particularly the centre half situation and this has affected our ability to keep a clean sheet. Also the zonal marking instruction from coaching staff has cost us dear. I don’t believe the players are comfortable with it at all.
“However, I believe we can claw our way to safety because from an offensive point of view I believe we have the quality. Alves will score goals given decent service, Downing knows that he has to produce from now until the end of the season, and he will do, and Tuncay despite being off form for what seems like an eternity will give us a spark in key games.”
Middlesbrough head to Stamford Bridge for an important league game on Wednesday, but anyone hoping for win in the capital needs to be aware that Boro haven’t won at the Bridge for 34 years. After Chelsea they face Blackburn at home, Manchester City away, and a double header at home against Wigan Athletic and Liverpool, and Graeme believes that they will get their season back on track against Sam Allardyce’s Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
“I'm not too concerned about other teams because I believe we have more quality than them and our quality will shine through eventually. I see us getting the vital three points that we desperately need against Blackburn Rovers after a spirited defeat at Chelsea. I write this after a victory at Wolves where many people, including myself, thought we would lose. There is proof in that result that there is enough in the tank to carry us over the finishing line. I hope we can replicate that sort of endeavour into league games.”
Gareth Southgate has offloaded Egyptian striker Mido to Wigan Athletic and has secured the services of Wigan’s Marlon King on loan until the end of the season and Graeme thinks that this could be a good bit of business for Boro, despite the player’s off-the-field misdemeanours. But can Southgate control the former Watford star who fell out with Hull City chief Phil Brown while on loan there?
“I doubt anyone can control anybody,” says Graeme. “If someone wants to misbehave then they will do. Mido was uncontrollable and he has now gone. King will be the same. However, King has fallen out with Phil Brown and will be looking to make an immediate impact elsewhere. Personal pride should ensure he has a good work ethic and hopefully he can chip in with some vital goals. He performed quite well for Hull City and he is one of the reasons why they had such a good start to the season. I predict now that this move will be good business by Gareth, but only as a short term measure.”
Southgate is under pressure, but there are also rumblings of discontent over Steve Gibson’s role at the club. Despite everything the chairman has done for the club, and being hailed as one of the best chairmen in the business, some so-called fans have begun questioning his commitment to the cause and would be happy for a new owner to replace him. However, Graeme insists that he is more than happy to have Gibson at the helm.
“I think it is absolute nonsense for supporters to start questioning Steve Gibson. You only have to look at the current economic depression to realise that the outlook is bleak. Steve Gibson is protecting his assets. He is a millionaire and millionaires don’t get lucky. They are smart investors. He is also a football man. He knows the game and he appreciates what it takes to ensure dreams become possible. I think fans have to be patient and allow him to make decisions which are always made for the benefit of the club. The majority of fans will always be with him than against him. Of that I am sure. The journey will never ever end with a "Gibson OUT" campaign. He is too shrewd to let things come to a situation like that.”
It’s not a great time to be a Middlesbrough fan just now, but with just eight points separating West Ham in eighth and West Brom at the foot of the table (before the midweek round of fixtures) back-to-back victories could see them soar out of trouble. However, this has been an extraordinary Premiership season and the relegation issue is likely to go right to the wire. But will Gareth Southgate be able to repay the chairman’s faith in him by guiding the Boro away from the drop zone? We’ll have to wait and see.
· Calling all Boro fans. Does Gareth Southgate still have your support? How confident are you of beating the drop with Southgate in charge? Where do you think your next victory will come from? I’d love to hear from you.
