Sacking Southgate and appointing Strachan – Gibson’s biggest mistake? (From The Northern Echo)

Sacking Southgate and appointing Strachan – Gibson’s biggest mistake?

7:39pm Wednesday 16th December 2009

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When Middlesbrough announced on the 20th October 2009 that Gareth Southgate had been relieved of his duties it was received with confusion and surprise through out football. A chairman who was renowned and respected for his level head and patience with managers made a bizarre decision that took everyone off guard.

At the time of his sacking Southgate’s side lay fourth in the league and had just beaten Derby County 2-0 to take them to one point off the top of the table. Currently Middlesbrough are in eleventh with just one win from seven games under the new manager and find themselves almost as close to the relegation zone as the automatic promotion spots. Some will argue they are just three points from a play off place, which is correct, but there are eight teams who are the same amount of points, or fewer, away from the play offs, and are all just as capable of mounting a push to get there. Also, claiming a place in the play offs is far from an easy route to promotion, many good teams have fallen foul in the past. A prime example of this would be Leeds, who in 2006 got to a play off final having finished 5th in the league and lost to Watford. The following season they were relegated to League 1.

So, Gareth Southgate was succeeded by Gordon Strachan a manager who appears to want to build his own squad and mould his own team when fans were told he was being brought in to ensure promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt. In Strachan’s own words he wanted to make players better; currently they seem to be getting worse and appear to have had all the football, which was evident under Southgate, coached out of them. This was epitomised at the game against Cardiff when Sean St Ledger brought the ball out of defence and had the option to play the ball down the flank to Tony McMahon or Adam Johnson, but he was told in no uncertain terms by Strachan on the sideline to play the ball long. He did this and the ball was comfortably cleared by Cardiff.

However, it’s not just the worrying trends on the pitch; Gareth Southgate was Mr Middlesbrough FC. He loved the town and the area, involving himself in everything. He always had time for anyone and never shied away from awkward questions unlike Gordon Strachan who seems to take pleasure in demeaning and patronising the media and their audience. The trend of falling attendances has also continued, which hit a new record low for a league match of 17,232 against Cardiff, although those at the game would argue the attendance was a lot lower than the official figure.

Only time will tell if Gordon Strachan can take Middlesbrough up at the first attempt. However, Steve Gibson has set a dangerous benchmark to be reached; if Gordon Strachan doesn’t achieve promotion this season will he be sacked? Following Gibson’s logic that led to Gareth Southgate’s fate surely he would have to be relieved of his duties if he doesn’t. Middlesbrough’s torment looks set continue as they face league leaders and rivals Newcastle United at St James’ Park. A defeat in this match could potentially leave Boro in 15th going into a busy Christmas period that could determine the fate of the club and in the long term that of the manager.

By Mark Hodgson

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