Source: Daily_Mail
Boro chairman Gibson backs Southgate and insists his team can survive
Chairman Steve Gibson is convinced Middlesbrough can win their fight for Barclays Premier League survival.Gibson, who yesterday insisted sacking manager Gareth Southgate would solve nothing, knows just how serious the club's current situation is.They are four points adrift of 17th-placed Blackburn with an inferior goal difference and just eight games to play, and are in danger of being cast adrift along with bottom side West Brom.[LNB] Still confident: Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson believes his side can avoid the drop[LNB]Gibson admits the club could slip out of the top flight, but havinginvested his faith in the manager he appointed to implement a long-termplan, he is refusing to throw in the towel.He told the Evening Gazette: 'We are where we are and we have to dealwith it. I still believe that this set of players is good enough to getus out of the mess in which we have put ourselves. NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Only West Brom's demise can prevent the lights going out for Newcastle, Sunderland and BoroSouthgate safe as Boro chairman Gibson vows to stand by his manSportsmail's verdict on the saviours and stinkers from the transfer windowMIDDLESBROUGH FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB]'That's not blind faith. We are in a very difficult situation and we are not fooling ourselves.'Can we stay up? Yes. Can we go down? Yes.[LNB] Under pressure: Gareth Southgate has his chairman's support but needs to start winning games straight away[LNB]'What we can do is to try to influence the situation so that thingsturn for us. We have to keep people believing that we can do it. Wehave to keep everything in perspective and make sure everybody keepstheir chins up.'[LNB] TODAY'S POLL Who has been the star man for Boro this season?[LNB]VOTE POLL RESULTS Close All polls Click to view yesterday's poll results Gibson's loyalty to his managers is well known, but while he remainssteadfastly behind former England defender Southgate, he can understandthe frustration of the fans because he remains one of them.He added: 'I really understand the disappointment that the fans are feeling.'I can tell you that I am hurting too. It's not a personal situation weare in. It affects everybody, not just inside of the club, but out ofit too.'It affects people's lives and therefore it matters.'[LNB] NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Only West Brom's demise can prevent the lights going out for Newcastle, Sunderland and BoroSouthgate safe as Boro chairman Gibson vows to stand by his manSportsmail's verdict on the saviours and stinkers from the transfer windowMIDDLESBROUGH FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB] [LNB]
