Southgate's side still have to play Arsenal, Man Utd and Aston Villa

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has thanked the club's chief executive Keith Lamb for his support as Boro bid to avoid relegation.

Since taking charge in 2006, Southgate has consistently been backed by Lamb and chairman Steve Gibson.

"It's great to have that public backing," Southgate told BBC Sport.

"I don't feel I need it as I know the internal backing I have. You need to know that internally you have support as that allows you to do your job."

If we don't make it I'll be the one to take responsibility for that Boro boss Gareth Southgate

While Southgate has enjoyed security of tenure, seven other Premier League managers - at Chelsea, West Ham, Spurs, Sunderland, Blackburn, Newcastle and Portsmouth - have lost their jobs this season.

"I've seen young managers go this season and I've seen a World Cup winner go," added Southgate, referring to the sackings of Paul Ince and Tony Adams and Chelsea's dismissal of Luis Felipe Scolari.

"You accept the pitfalls and it focuses more on what you believe in, trying to do deal with what you can control."

606: DEBATE Give your views on Gareth Southgate's tenure as Boro manager

Last season, Boro finished 13th in the table, while the year before the club came 12th.

"My job is to keep us in this division and I'm not thinking about the scenario of failing," said Southgate, who took over from Steve McClaren.

"If we don't make it I'll be the one to take responsibility for that - I've no issue with that."

Second-from-bottom Boro, who are two points away from safety, are away at relegation rivals Stoke on Saturday.

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