Middlesbrough Football Club

• Nickname:Boro
• Founded:1876
• Manager:Tony Mowbray

• Ground:Riverside Stadium
• Capacity:35049

Southgate slams Boro boos

15 Mar 2009 - 11:19:23

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Gareth Southgate hit out at some "disrespectful" Middlesbrough fans after they turned on his players during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.

The struggling Teessiders looked on course for another morale-sapping defeat until Marlon King's injury-time equaliser secured what could be a vital point in their battle to avoid relegation.

But after several Boro players were jeered by unhappy home fans during the game, an angry Southgate turned on the boo-boys.

"It's one of those situations where I'm going to get slaughtered whatever I say, so I'm going to say what I believe," he said.

"Some of the chants were disrespectful to the rest of the team. The crowd are right to laud (Sanli) Tuncay's efforts but we'll 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.

"It's hurtful for a lot of the other players. We will survive as a club and as a town by everyone pulling together."

Meanwhile, Southgate questioned the decision of referee Martin Atkinson to send off Matthew Bates for diving after showing the defender a second yellow card.

"He's an excellent referee but it was a strange decision," added the Boro boss.

"But it changed the course of the game because the crowd then came back behind us. It could be a crucial point and we're still in there fighting."