Inquest starts for Southgate
29 Aug 2006 - 09:46:55
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate offered no excuses after seeing his side swept away 4-0 at home by Portsmouth.
The result nullified a superb midweek victory over Chelsea at the Riverside and left Southgate with plenty to ponder.
He said: "I have learnt a lot about the team over the course of this week. We were not able to match the highs of Wednesday night.
"I have got to look at myself first and foremost, because I pick the team and it's my responsibility.
"That was not acceptable, everybody is aware of that. I do not need to tell the players that because they know it themselves.
"The most disappointing thing is being unable to follow on what was such a high and grind another result out.
"I do not expect us as a club to crumble in the way that we did, but sometimes a heavier defeat can teach you more lessons than a narrow one."
