Gibson supports Southgate

24 March 2009 12:32
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson insists he has no plans to sack under-fire manager Gareth Southgate. Southgate has seen his position at the Riverside come under the microscope as a result of the side's battle to avoid the drop. Boro are facing a real fight to secure survival with some fans calling for the head of Southgate following the 1-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Stoke last weekend. However, Gibson has jumped to the defence of Southgate and believes sacking the former Boro captain would achieve nothing at such a crucial stage in the campaign. "I've spoken with a lot of fans over the last few weeks and they ask me about Gareth Southgate," Gibson told the club's official website. "But the magic wand in our situation isn't sacking Gareth Southgate. Of course everybody has their opinion in football and I understand the frustration of the fans. "I've always said that we have a knowledgeable crowd at Middlesbrough and you have to respect that. "I take on board the views of the fans because I care as much as they do. But if I was to sack Gareth Southgate at this stage, how would it help the situation?" Gibson believes Southgate is doing all he can to try and help Boro climb clear of trouble at the wrong end of the table. "The one thing I know is that Gareth Southgate is hurting as well," added Gibson. "I see him on a regular basis and I know how much our situation is hurting him. "But I also see the hard work he is putting in all day, every day of the week and I know that things are being done the right way. "The real work is done on the training ground during the week. "It doesn't matter how much preparation is put in, once the game kicks off at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon any manager is limited in what he can do to influence the result. And the result is everything. "Gareth has great experience of football at every level. He is working to the best of his ability to turn things around. "When he was a player, he worked immensely hard to make himself a better player. He does exactly the same as a manager. "I couldn't expect any more from him in terms of blood, sweat and tears." Gibson says everyone should share the blame for the predicament the club find themselves in. "We can't put what happens on the pitch fully on Gareth's shoulders and that's why we have to share the workload and the responsibility," noted Gibson. "When things go wrong, people lose faith in the manager. "But there is a lot more involved and we must always continue to look at the wider picture before coming to decisions."

Source: SKY_Sports