Southgate eyes shock scalp

19 April 2009 17:40
Gareth Southgate insists Middlesbrough are capable of pulling off a shock or two during their run-in. The North East outfit remain inside the Premier League's bottom three with five games of the season remaining, but are only three points adrift of safety. Four precious points have been taken from their last two fixtures, against Hull City and Fulham, to give themselves a fighting chance of survival. Next up for Southgate's men is a trip to Arsenal and then a home date with Manchester United, but the Boro boss sees no reason why his side cannot take something from those fixtures. He said: "We have to win a game that we are not expected to in the next few - we said that prior to the game against Liverpool (on 28th February, which they won 2-0). "We have got players who can deliver, but for me when I look at the next two fixtures, there is no pressure on us in those two fixtures, although we understand the importance of them. "The players have just got to go out and have a go at them and keep ourselves in there with a fighting chance, and there's no reason why we can't do that." Commitment Southgate accepts that games against Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham are likely to provide slightly more realistic opportunities to pick up points, but he believes Boro can upset the odds after displaying admirable battling qualities during their 0-0 draw with Fulham on Saturday. "We will leave here thinking it was a game we needed to win, but we are not out of it," he added. "It might prove to be costly, but I don't think Saturday's performance is the reason why we are where we are by any means, and it won't be a performance that has cost us in the long run. "The commitment shown, the way that we played, was commendable from everybody. I couldn't have asked any more of the players in the last two matches. "Of course, it's frustrating for everybody because the games are running out and you need to win. "But I have got to be realistic about things and Saturday's was a performance I would back my players to the hilt on."

Source: SKY_Sports