Middlesbrough Football Club News

• Nickname:Boro
• Founded:1876
• Manager:Tony Mowbray

• Ground:Riverside Stadium
• Capacity:35,049

Downing going for goals

03 Sep 2007 - 16:05:03

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Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has been urged to continue his fine start to the season by Boro manager Gareth Southgate.

The 23-year-old England international has scored two times in six games already this term, having only found the net twice throughout the whole of last season.

Southgate told the Northern Echo: "We need goals from all over the field and we've set him a target which he feels he can get.

"He got two last season and he can only improve on that. He's got the freedom to go and play and sometimes you have to keep telling him to go on."

Downing scored in the 2-0 victory at home to Birmingham City at the weekend, having also got on the scoresheet on the opening day of the season against Blackburn Rovers.

The left-sided wideman added: "I think the whole of the midfield has got a goal now, but that's two already for me now.

"I only got two last season and I want more than that. It's about getting in the box.

"I should be an eight to ten goals a season player, but that depends on the positions I get in."