Source: SKY_Sports
Johnson urges Boro stability
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} In-form winger Adam Johnson is hoping Middlesbrough can keep the core of their first team intact.[LNB] Boro are joint leaders of the Championship after an unbeaten start to the season, which has attracted the attention of Premier League clubs.[LNB]Stewart Downing has already been sold to Aston Villa - opening the door for Johnson on the left of midfield - but a number of key players remain that could be lured back into the top flight.[LNB]And although manager Gareth Southgate admits "there are players who will leave this month", Johnson has urged his team-mates not to get distracted by transfer talk.[LNB]"We have a very strong squad," he told the Northern Echo.[LNB]Promotion"We let Stewart Downing go, but we have a better team than most in this league but all we can do is try to perform. Our only aim is to get promotion.[LNB]"It is important that we keep this squad together, but I don't think we can afford to think about what might or might not happen to the squad.[LNB]"There's time left, so there is always going to be talk about different players leaving." [LNB]Central defensive pair Robert Huth and David Wheater have been linked with Stoke City and Aston Villa, respectively, while Johnson has also caught the eye with three goals from Boro's opening three games.[LNB]But the 22-year-old insists he is focused on helping Boro launch a promotion push and has set himself a target of 12 goals this season.[LNB]Commitment"I just get on with my football," he added. "I will be the first to hear if anything happens.[LNB]"I have always been fully committed to Middlesbrough. I have just got my head down, even though I had a tough couple of seasons behind Stewart when I wasn't playing. I'm happy to be playing.[LNB]"The one aim I have this season is promotion, that's all I am thinking about, just like any of the other lads. Anything else would be viewed as a failure."[LNB]
