Source: Daily_Mail
Surprise hero Matthew Bates backs basement boys Boro to beat the drop
Middlesbrough's surprise hero Matthew Bates is backing the club to get out trouble. The defender, who has been converted in to a defensive midfielder by Gareth Southgate in recent months, scored his first ever Boro goal in Saturday's impressive win over Hull City.
The second victory in 20 games briefly moved Middlesbrough above local rivals Newcastle United, but they remain in the bottom three after the Geordies' draw at Stoke.
But with Fulham to face at the Riverside this weekend, Boro's players are increasingly confident they will beat the drop.
Boro face Arsenal and Manchester United after the visit of RoyHodgson's side and Bates knows they need a win over a team chasing aplace in the Europa Cup on Saturday.
