Source: Eurosport
Boro boss steeled by Prem scrap
Gareth Southgate's determination to succeed as a manager has been strengthened by Middlesbrough's desperate Premier League survival fight.
The Teessiders looked dead and buried until last weekend's 3-1 victory over fellow strugglers Hull gave them a glimmer of hope.
They head into Saturday's home clash with Fulham knowing it is yet another must-win affair with only six games to go and Champions League semi-finalists Arsenal and Manchester United among their remaining opponents.
However, through all the tension and pressure of a tooth-and-nail scrap against the drop, Southgate has enjoyed a moment of clarity.
At a time when his suitability for the job has been called into question, the former England defender is now more certain than ever it is what he wants to do.
Southgate said: "When I started off, I wanted to have a go at it but was it what I wanted to do long term?
"I suppose it's only when people really question your abilities and really question whether you are capable of doing something that it puts a lot of things into perspective and clears a lot of things in your mind.
"I know what I want to go and do and I know where I want to take this club.
"It's been a difficult period but you are certainly more determined when you have been through a period like we have had.
"Over the last few weeks, I am even more certain in my mind that it's what I want to do.
"If you can come through a difficult period like that and feel that way then, in my own mind, it has answered a few of questions I might have had maybe a couple of years ago."
Southgate knows only too well the pain of relegation from the top flight having suffered just that fate as a player at Crystal Palace.
And, while there may be greater responsibility on his shoulders this time around, he admits the emotions are very similar.
He said: "Well, it's different because you are ultimately responsible for everything but it's not a great deal different because I was a player who took everything very much to heart anyway and wanted to take a lot of responsibility.
"I was captain of all the teams I played in. I wouldn't say I took it any lighter as a player but, certainly, there's more to think about.
"You have got to lift every part of the club and make sure that you are making the right decisions, not just your own decisions preparing yourself.
"There's a lot more involve, but that's something I am comfortable with."
Unlike Palace, who were relegated on the final day of the season after Oldham staged a remarkable fightback, Boro have been in trouble for some time.
However, Southgate believes that could give them a psychological advantage, provided they can build upon last Saturday's result.
He said: "We are in a situation where we have known our task for eight or nine weeks.
"Maybe a couple of other teams thought they were out of the mire and could possibly be back into it.
"In the next few weeks there will be twists and turns, there's no doubt about that, but we know we are capable of dealing with whatever is thrown at us and we have just got to make sure we maintain our focus."
