Southgate has confidence in his current crop of players

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is expecting a positive response from his players after two games without a win in the Championship.

Boro's 5-0 defeat by West Brom and a 2-2 draw with Coventry has left some fans frustrated but Southgate said his side will get back to winning ways.

"We feel we've got a point to prove at the moment," he told BBC Tees.

"We understand there'll be adverse reaction, we've got to answer that criticism on the field."

Leicester City provide the next opposition for Southgate's side, when they arrive on Teesside on Tuesday night, managed by former Boro captain Nigel Pearson.

The former Sheffield Wednesday defender was a cult hero at the old Ayresome Park and Riverside Stadium, twice leading Middlesbrough to promotion under Bryan Robson's management.

And, despite a difficult start to life in management, Southgate believes Pearson has been doing an excellent job at the Walkers Stadium since taking charge in June 2008 - notably in getting the club back into the Championship at the first attempt last season.

"I've got to know Nigel well over the years having played against him and he's been on the coaching staff at a number of different clubs," he said.

"He's a solid guy, a good leader and was obviously a successful captain here and very well thought of so he's done a good job at Leicester.

"The promotion season last year was a very good one for them and they'll be looking to build upon that."

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