Southgate keeps the faith

25 September 2009 08:57
GARETH SOUTHGATE is not concerned that last Saturday’s defeat to West Brom offered cynical supporters the perfect excuse to continue to boycott the Teessiders. Boro expect to take around 1,400 fans to Coventry City tomorrow as they look to ease the painful memories of their heaviest defeat, 5-0, in ten months. Southgate admits that the “wheels fell off, big-time” last weekend and knows that nothing less than victory will appease Boro fans still bemoaning the club’s relegation from the Premier League. But he accepts that there will be an element of stay away supporters who remain unconvinced by his efforts and confirmed he is focusing his efforts on securing victory for those fans who’ve kept faith with their team. “It is not for me to worry about the opinions of people who don’t come to watch us play,” he confirmed. “The fans who are with us are still with us and those who aren’t, then fine. “As far as I am concerned my job is to get this team back in the Premier League. What is most important to me are the players and staff I work with. The support we’ve had has been fantastic this year from those that have come, especially those that travel away from home who have been brilliant. “Yes, it is better if we can fill the ground but there will be lots of cynical, critical people out there. I hope we can win them over with our results but I am not going to lose sleep over the stay-away supporters or the negative elements out there.” Despite Didier Digard and Emanuel Pogatetz coming Wednesday’s reserve loss at Hartlepool United, Southgate will not risk either at the Ricoh Arena. The manager was forced to field Digard last weekend but Gary O’Neil’s return to full training yesterday morning will allow Southgate to rest the French midfielder. However, as the pair edge back to fitness, the manager revealed that left-back Andrew Taylor is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering ankle ligament damage. He said: “He will be out at least five or six weeks. He’s in one of those protective boots for another fortnight and then he’ll build up his fitness after that.” Southgate has repeatedly denied that his players are illequipped for the demands of the Championship and refuted claims that the division offers a tougher physical challenge than the top-flight. “I don’t think the Championship is more physical than the Premier,’’ he said. “The Premier League is tough, physical and you’ve got some of the best athletes in world football in that division. So I think people are wrong to say this is more physical. “You have less time on the ball in the Championship. The ball is in play a bit less and more emphasis on getting the ball forward quickly and you have to run a bit more in this league. “If we are not at our best Coventry will beat us. We believe we can go there and beat them. We need to defend a lot better than last week. There will have been all sorts of overboard reactions to the result but we have learned our lesson. “That result wasn’t a reflection of the standing of our team. We are annoyed, frustrated and disappointed but ready for the challenge.” Jeremie Aliadiere has recovered from a hamstring problem and is expected to start against Coventry.

Source: Northern_Echo