Southgate seeks Boro belief
30 Oct 2008 - 09:29:41
Manager Gareth Southgate was pleased with his Middlesbrough side's performance in their 2-0 victory at home to Manchester City.
An Afonso Alves penalty and Gary O'Neil's late clincher sealed the three points for Boro at the Riverside and moved them up to ninth place in the Premier League table.
Southgate commented: "I told them more than anything else that I wanted them to play without fear.
"They're more than capable of bringing the ball forward and they've got to believe in themselves.
"It's great that we've gone into the top half of the table, but we've got to build on it now.
"We had a buffeting emotionally last time we were here, but we've taken seven points from our last four games and that's crucial.
"The players needed to give themselves a performance that gave them belief that they can play well at home, they can score late goals and they can keep clean sheets.
"So there are a lot of positives to take into the weekend."