Source: Daily_Mail
Southgate: I don't care about Mackems or Tackems, I just want Boro to stay up
Gareth Southgate has no interest in the debate over the demise of Barclays Premier League football in the north-east this season.[LNB]The region's three top-flight clubs have endured a miserable campaign to date with Southgate's Middlesbrough in deep trouble just one place off the bottom of the table, and neighbours Newcastle only two points and one position better off.[LNB]Looking after his own skin: Southgate[LNB]Even Sunderland, who have invested in excess of £70million in their playing squad in less than three years, are only three points clear of the drop zone.[LNB]However, Southgate insists the respective plights of his club's derby rivals are irrelevant as he attempts to pull off a great escape.[LNB]He said: 'I'm not bothered about anyone else. Nobody else in the north-east is really bothered about us, so we will focus on what we want to do and what we need to do.[LNB]'If other teams go, that's football. Three teams have got to go from the division.[LNB]'It's irrelevant, really. People talk about the north-east, but people want their own team to do well, so from our point of view, we will focus on us.[LNB]'We wish the others good luck, as you do to every team, but it's a tough business out there.[LNB]'Nobody is going to do us any favours and we are not too concerned about anybody else.' Middlesbrough land £6,000 fine from FA after referee rant at West BromHATCHET MAN: FA hit new low with Middlesbrough's paltry fineSportsmail's Star of the Season: Have your say on who should be your team's player of the season - with NEW revised short lists!MIDDLESBROUGH FC
