Southgate was heartened by his side's performance in the win at Wolves

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has shrugged off the pressure on his position as manager and piled praise on his players for their hard work.

Boro beat Wolves 2-1 in Saturday's FA Cup tie to lift some of the gloom on Teesside and Southgate feels the squad is due credit for their efforts.

"There's a spirit amongst them and they showed that here," he told BBC Tees.

"It's not about me, I'm focused on getting results with this group of players and for this club."

Southgate's selection has been affected by injuries and suspensions, and with Andrew Taylor hobbling off early on in Saturday's game, the squad has been further hampered.

But the Boro boss is keen not to make excuses for the recent slump and is hopeful that he will have a strong core of players to pick from for Wednesday's trip to Chelsea.

"We are suffering in that respect and obviously we have two games this week," he said.

"Gary O'Neil got his fifth booking this week so he'll miss Saturday so what can go against us has been.

"[Emanuel] Pogatetz should be back this week and Marlon King will be available for midweek so there are some positive things coming through.

"It's stretching us and it is at times like this that you have to roll your sleeves up and the players did that and deserve their win."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version