INSPIRATIONAL defender Gareth Southgate has slammed the critics who have suggested Middlesbrough are too negative to survive in the Premiership.

Only Sunderland, Derby and Leicester have scored fewer goals in the top-flight this season than Steve McClaren's men and finding the net has been a persistent problem.

When McClaren took over the Riverside hot-seat he wanted to ensure his side were tight at the back before working on his attacking options.

And the summer capture of £6m Southgate from Aston Villa, his most expensive signing to date, is testament to that.

But having scored just 26 times in the League this season, only eight of which have been from midfield, negativity has associated with Boro's play.

Southgate, however, insists that Boro's tactics are just as defensive as many of the top sides in the country.

"I don't think we are negative," said the 31-year-old. "We may play Robbie Mustoe and Paul Ince in the middle in front of the defence but why is that negative?

"I don't think it's any different from that of Nicky Butt and Roy Keane sitting in front of the back four for Man United.

"You can go through a host of clubs, even Patrick Vieira and Ray Parlour at Arsenal or anyone - that's the way football is played.

"If you want to be solid and form a basis for the team then I think that's the way forward and that's what we have done."

Boro drew another blank - their 11th this campaign - during the 1-0 defeat at West Ham on Saturday.

And failing to return from Upton Park with the points meant the Teessiders missed the chance to climb into the top ten for the first time under McClaren.

But Southgate believes Boro are heading in the right direction.

He said: "We had the opportunity to lift ourselves out of trouble, we did it a little against Fulham, but we have slipped up at West Ham which makes it all the more disappointing.

"But we have gone on a run similar to the one we went on at the start of the season and hopefully this time it will take us clear of any problems. We know we are heading in the right direction and I know we can improve."

Despite losing to the Hammers, Boro are still six points above Blackburn, who occupy the final relegation place.

Favourites to go down, Leicester, visit the Riverside this Saturday and McClaren knows three points is a must if his side are to safeguard their top-flight future.

Regardless of Boro's position in the bottom half, Southgate also has eyes on this summer's World Cup, and he does not believe his club's position in the Premiership will hinder his chances of a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's 23-man squad.

"You know that if there's 100 games a week Sven will probably get to 60 of them," said Southgate, who has been outstanding since making the switch to the North-East.

"I still think there's plenty of places up for grabs, but people who might not have been in the last couple of squads may be struggling.

"It's up to players to play well with their clubs because what you do with your club will get you in and I would like to think I'm doing that."

Meanwhile, Ehiogu will miss both the FA Cup clash with Everton or Crewe and the match with Liverpool for his sending off against West Ham on Saturday.

Ehiogu, who was shown the red card for the fourth time in his 16-month Boro career, has been given an extra match because it was the second time this season he has been sent for an early bath.

Striker Andy Campbell has gone to Cardiff on loan until the end of the season after being unable to command a regular place in McClaren's squad and Mark Summerbell could also be on his way out, the midfielder is hoping to wrap up a temporary deal to Carlisle United.

The Football Association have Blackburn manager Graeme Souness with misconduct following his behaviour towards referee Graham Barber after Blackburn's FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough.

The former Scotland international was furious at the 73rd-minute sending off of Lucas Neill during his side's 1-0 defeat at the Riverside ten days ago.

At the time he said: ''I used to think he, Barber, was half decent, one of the better ones, until today. What will that statement get me? Fined? Banned?

''But what happens to him? He will be back refereeing a Premier League game next week.'

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