Southgate calls for support
09 Nov 2007 - 17:10:14
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has urged the fans who booed his side off the pitch last weekend to back his players during their current difficult patch.
The Teessiders stopped the rot of four successive Premier League defeats with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham last weekend.
But after some supporters booed his players off the pitch at the Riverside Stadium, Southgate has called for support when they face fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers on Sunday.
"I understand the nature of football these days is that people want instant results, but when you've been on the run that we've been on you're not going to win four or five nil," he told the club's official website.
"You have to stop the rot and we had to get something from the game having gone behind.
"I accept criticism. We're in a situation we're not happy about but one we know we can get through. But we have to work together as a club and as a team with the fans.
"They would understand when I say it won't help performances when they get on players' backs.
"I understand why people did it and I understand that we're paid well and we're going to be criticised if we play badly and supporters have the right to complain and criticise. I totally understand that.
"But it won't help players' performances. It's the same in any walk of life, if you have someone booing and criticising you at work it won't get the best out of people.
"We've got young players here particularly the homegrown players who really need help and support, and if we're going to be successful we all have to move forward together."