Southgate - Don't blame Alves

24 February 2009 16:34
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has refused to blame £12million striker Afonso Alves for the club's goal drought.[LNB] Boro have managed only one goal in the league since the turn of the year, scored by Alves against rivals Sunderland.[LNB]But Southgate has brushed off suggestions that the Brazilian should be hitting the net more often.[LNB]"Goalscoring is a collective thing. We win or lose as a team, and we score goals as a team," he told the Evening Gazette.[LNB]"We are well aware of the difficult situation we are in and we have to work together as a team to turn things around.[LNB]Sharp"As far as Afonso is concerned, he has looked like a player who will score goals for us over the last few weeks. He's been sharp and he has worked hard."[LNB]Southgate's team currently sit a lowly 19th in the Premier League after a drab goalless draw against Wigan on Saturday. [LNB]The 38-year-old recognises that Boro will have to create more chances if they are to avoid the drop this season.[LNB]"It was hard going for the whole team against Wigan. They came to make it very difficult for us and they are very good at that," he added[LNB]"At the same time, we know that we need to be more effective against teams that come to the Riverside intending to get nine men behind the ball.[LNB]Collective"But that's a collective thing and it's something we are constantly working on, on the training ground."[LNB]Despite the lack of goals, the former England international believes his team has a great chance of progressing when they play West Ham in a fifth round replay on Wednesday.[LNB]"We played very well at West Ham in the first meeting. We scored a good goal and might have had more," Southgate said.[LNB]"As long as we continue to create chances then I'm certain the goals will come." [LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports