Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate remains logical about his position at the helm despite constant backing from chairman Steve Gibson.

The fact that 'Boro have not won in their last eight league attempts suggest to Southgate that there is always an element of danger when dealing with top flight English football.

"The chairman has been loyal, but then he has seen that we have done behind the scenes what has been asked of us," Southgate said.

"I'm certainly not immune from dismissal and I don't take my job for granted, but the one thing we all have here is a realism about things.

"He knows the different workings from last year and that we have been working hard to try to get results under different circumstances.

"Everybody at the club is aware of the situation, what we are doing and what needs to be done.

"We have to continue doing everything to the best of our ability and strive to reach new standards."