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DERBY COUNTY v MIDDLESBROUGH - SOUTHGATE: DOWNING HAS WORLD AT HIS FEET
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has claimed England winger Stewart Downing does not realise how good a player he can be.
The 23-year-old midfielder has endured a difficult campaign, falling foul of the boo boys on the international stage as England struggled and then being targetted by sections of Boro's support with his club's season limping into difficulties.
However, Downing has emerged from those disappointments stronger for them, and having played a key role in recent weeks, set Boro on their way to a famous victory over Arsenal last Sunday with a nerve-jangling early penalty.
Southgate has reassureed Downing all season of the regard in which he is held at the Riverside Stadium, and he has been delighted with the player's response.
He said: "He is our top-scorer. We know how effective he can be - I still maintain he sometimes does not realise how good he can be.
"But he has got four goals now, and I think he only scored two last season.
"We set him a target this year, which he is not close to yet, but we feel wide players should be chipping in with more than their share of goals, and four already is a decent return for him."
Boro head for bottom-of-the table Derby on Saturday looking to build upon their first win in 11 games, 10 of them in the Barclays Premier League, by adding a second in short order.
They will do so with Downing brimming with confidence.
Southgate said: "Certainly to step forward and take what was a crucial penalty for us was a big moment.
"If we had missed that having started brightly and having been given an opportunity to take the lead like that, it could have had a huge impact on the game.
"Fortunately at the time, I am sure he was not thinking that way. But when I look back on it, it was a significant moment for us and for him.
"A few weeks before, he said he wanted to take the penalties and was bold enough to step up and do it, and to score it gave everybody the belief and momentum to go on and win the game."
Southgate will make a late decision on keeper Mark Schwarzer, who is recovering from his broken thumb, while midfielder Julio Arca is in the frame after appearing as a late substiutute on Sunday following knee ligament damage.
Howver, whoever gets the nod at Pride Park, the manager will hope they remember that winning feeling.
Southgate said: "We know we have got a lot of younger players who will be a bit inconsistent in their play, but at least now we have remembered how to win.
"When you have a spell of 11 games without winning, there's a danger you think you can't win."
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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