The pressure is coming from the fans ... and not just Boro supporters.
The Leicester fans were chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” after Alex Dyer had slotted home the visitors’ 83rd minute winner, and the bookies have him as the next Championship boss to sign on the dole.
As if that was not bad enough ... the Boro fans in the North Stand sang with the Leicester fans.
The dropping attendances and poor results can only go on for so long.
The disappointing crowd of 18,577 was the lowest at the Riverside for a league game for 15 years.
Chairman Steve Gibson has always given strong backing to Southgate, but the time has come when Gibson knows he will be next to face the angry reaction unless something changes.
Southgate: “I was aware of what was being said, but I am happy to take the stick if it means that I protect my players.
“The players deserve my support for the committed way in which they went about their game."
Is he 90 minutes from the sack?
Saturday 03rd October 2009
Barnsley v Ipswich 15.00
C.Palace v Blackpool 15.00
Coventry v Leicester 12.30
Derby v Sheff Weds 15.00
Newcastle v Bristol City 15.00
Peterborough v Nottm Forest 15.00
Plymouth v Scunthorpe 15.00
Preston NE v West Brom 12.45
Reading v Middlesbrough 15.00
Sheff Utd v Doncaster 15.00
Swansea City v QPR 15.00
Watford v Cardiff City 15.00