MIDDLESBROUGH head coach Steve Agnew has been speaking ahead of his side's penultimate game of the season at home to Southampton on Saturday.

Boro were relegated on Monday when they suffered a 3-0 defeat at Chelsea, and Agnew has spoken about where the responsibility for their demotion lies - as well as his hopes for the future.


Agnew on the fall-out from relegation:

“It’s been tough. After the other night’s result, we lost our Premier League status which was he had all worked very hard for. It was a very difficult evening to accept and the following day was one of disappointment.

"But we have to move on very quickly. We have two massive games this season and we have to finish the season strong.

“Once we know where we are then the players have to respond. They’ve trained really well and they’re a determined group,. Although that initial disappointment was there, they will move on very quickly."


Agnew on bouncing back from the Championship:

"We’re quite fortunate in many ways because we have 12 possibly 13 players who have a promotion on their CV. From that point of view, we have a strong squad.

"We also have 23 or 24 contracted players. From that point of view, everyone is together and we are all looking forward to putting on a performance on Saturday.

"We have Calum Chambers and Alvaro Negredo who are loan players, but apart from that everybody else is contracted.

“I think it’s like any football club in any summer - whatever happens, there’s always going to be movement in any transfer market. But all the players are under contract and I’m not aware of any interest from elsewhere."


Agnew on Boro's interest in Nathan Thomas:

"I can’t (provide an update), no. I’ve been busy from the early hours of this morning so I couldn’t shed any light on that.


Agnew on his own future:

"After the disappointment of the other night, it has been an emotional time. Understandably so. I’m no different. I feel responsibility for what’s happened and I’ll take that.

"But it’s not about my future or my situation. It’s about Middlesbrough Football Club and understanding where we are. It’s about how we finish strong and then we regroup, have a good summer, and make sure we’re in a fight to bounce back to the Premier League as quick as we can."


Agnew on team news for the Southampton game:

"Victor is still ongoing with a rib injury, he’s struggling to make it. So is Gaston with a groin strain. Daniel has started jogging again, but he’s doubtful."


Agnew on what went wrong while he was boss:

"The results have not followed, but I think the performances at home have been good. We’ve had good performances against the top teams where we maybe didn’t quite get the rub of the green.

"I’ve been pleased with certain aspects of how we’ve gone about, and with the reaction of the players. The home games have had a really good atmosphere within the stadium.

"But there have been one or two disappointments, certainly Bournemouth and Hull away.

"Have I made mistakes? Of course I have. You have to hold your hand up. There’s one or two things I might have changed looking back, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. I’ve enjoyed the challenge and I just want to make sure we want to finish the season strong."