Southgate stands by Alves
31 Mar 2008 - 07:45:05
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- Southgate stands by Alves
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has backed record signing Afonso Alves to prove to be a success at the Riverside, despite the Brazilian missing several good chances in the 1-0 loss at Chelsea.
The 27-year-old January recruit from Heerenveen has failed to find the net in eight outings for Boro to date and hit both a post and the crossbar at Stamford Bridge.
Alves also placed a close-range header wide of target against the Blues, but the South American still has the total backing of his manager.
Southgate commented: "You get two or three chances maximum at places like this and you have to take them.
"I thought Afonso was a threat when he came on, it was the sharpest he has been for us.
"The first one he created for himself and did everything right. Obviously it was galling to see it come off the post.
"Probably the free header was the best chance, where he missed the target, but that's going to happen. He will get his match-sharpness and he will score goals for us."