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MIDDLESBROUGH v ARSENAL - BOATENG: STRUGGLES "KILLING" ME
Middlesbrough skipper George Boateng admits his side's Barclays Premier League struggle is "killing" him.
The 32-year-old Dutchman has enjoyed major highs during his five and a half years at the Riverside Stadium, picking up a Carling Cup winners' medal in 2004 and reaching the UEFA Cup final two seasons later.
However, the club's current plight - they slipped into the relegation zone despite drawing 1-1 at Reading last weekend as their wait for a league win was extended to 10 games - is causing him some discomfort.
Boateng said: "I did not come here to play relegation football, if I am really honest with you.
"I have achieved great things since I have been here. It has always been difficult, the Premier League - this is my 10th season and it's never been smooth.
"But to be where we are, it is no over-statement to say it is killing me.
"When I was at Coventry, we had less quality and fewer good players, but through attitude and the right mentality and the manager with his positive approach at that time, we still managed to stay up and had a fine season.
"That's why I am not so worried, because the squad we have here is much better than the squad I had at Coventry."
Boateng and his team-mates face a daunting challenge if they are to reverse the recent trend this weekend with league leaders Arsenal due at the Riverside on Sunday defending their unbeaten record.
However, whatever the result, the Holland international is confident his side will drag themselves to safety as their injury problems finally start to ease.
Boateng said: "There are several teams who can consider themselves for relegation - Reading, Bolton, Middlesbrough, as funny as it sounds, Tottenham, Birmingham, Derby and Sunderland - they are all there.
"But if I look at all the other teams, I think we have a very good squad. All we need now is a striker to come in and put the ball in the net.
"The rest of the team, if you compare it to the other teams below or just above us, I am more than happy with the squad we have.
"We have not won for 10 games - there have been times where the club has not won for 14 or 15 matches.
"With the right approach and good attitude, because we have good players, it will eventually turn."
Manager Gareth Southgate has found himself under pressure from outside the club with the bookmakers making him favourite to be the next top flight boss to be relieved of his duties, although he continues to enjoy the support of both chairman Steve Gibson and his players.
Boateng said: "He knows the team is behind him. We all know we live in a glass house and if you do not get points, people start throwing stones at your glass house, and the manager knows that.
"But from the inside, he knows the team is behind him."
Midfielder Julio Arca and defender Robert Huth could return from long-term injuries on Sunday, and keeper Mark Schwarzer is yet to be ruled out with his broken thumb healing fast.
However, longer term planning is well under way with the January transfer window fast approaching - Southgate has been linked with strikers Shola Ameobi, Darius Vassell and Leroy Lita - and Boateng's own future has been the subject of some speculation.
But the midfielder, who is under contract until 2009, insists he is happy where he is.
He said: "My position is that as long as I am here, as long as I am the manager's captain, I am happy to fulfil my duties.
"I am happy to be here. It is not nice when you are sometimes in and out of the team, it is hard.
"But I have no plans to leave."
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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