Source: SKY_Sports
Southgate pleased with point
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate was pleased with his side after they sealed a late draw with Portsmouth.[LNB] Boro looked on their way to defeat at The Riverside following Peter Crouch's first-half volley.[LNB]Matthew Bates was then sent-off for a second yellow card for the home side but they managed to level in injury time as Marlon King fired home from close-range.[LNB]And Southgate was delighted with the attitude of his players.[LNB] "We have not been rewarded too often for the character we have shown and I think most people in the stadium had given up at 1-0 and maybe the sending off was a catalyst for us as it gave the fans a cause," Southgate told Sky Sports.[LNB]"The players gave everything and they deserved it and I am delighted for them because they keep giving everything and they are not being rewarded with a lot of luck. But they got a point which was extremely unlikely and then we almost won it which would have been incredible.[LNB]"Some of the players have said they thought that was the case, it is pretty indicative of the way things have been going for us - but we can't control those things, we can't control the sending off or the goal given against us - but what we can control is our effort and endeavour."[LNB]AnnoyedSouthgate admits he was annoyed by the sending off of Bates, saying: "I was stunned.[LNB]"Sometimes there might be a foul or there might be an incident. I think there is a bit of contact but he has to change his stride and that knocks him off balance and he puts his arms out which perhaps makes it look a bit more dramatic, but does it need to be a yellow card or a sending off which costs us during the game and a suspension? So I was very surprised as I think he is a very good referee, he has an excellent manner with people but I didn't agree with that decision."[LNB]He was also unhappy with home fans who singled out Tuncay, as they chanted that he was the only 'good' player Boro had.[LNB]"It's one of those situations where I am going to get slaughtered whatever I say, so I'm going to say what I believe," he said.[LNB]"Some of the chants were disrespectful to the rest of the team.[LNB]"The crowd are right to laud Tuncay's efforts but we will win and lose as a team. The other lads may not have been as eye-catching but they were making important saves, blocks and interceptions.[LNB]"It's hurtful for a lot of the other players. We will survive as a club and as a town by everyone pulling together."[LNB]Southgate admits his side now have to find some form away from home.[LNB]"There are times when it is tough to play and we have to deal with that and we did today, we got some reward for it and we are still in there with a fight," he said.[LNB]"We have not lost here since Boxing Day, but we have to be better away from home now." [LNB]
