HE might come across as one of the nicest men in football, but Stewart Downing has revealed that Middlesbrough's players have already seen plenty of evidence of Gareth Southgate's nasty streak.

Watching the Boro boss calmly discuss the qualities of the players at his disposal, it is difficult to imagine him tearing a strip off someone who refuses to toe the line.

But as he prepares to begin his second season in management, Downing insists that Southgate is already well versed in reading the riot act.

And while he might lack the intensity of this afternoon's rival in the opposition dug-out, Mark Hughes, the England international also claims that his manager is feared by each and every member of the Middlesbrough squad.

"It was a surprise when Gareth became manager, but it hasn't been a surprise to see him lay down the law," said Downing, who played in the same team as the former centre-half before he took the step up to management.

"I always knew that he was tough inside. He's a nice guy, but he's tough.

"If we need rollocking or telling, he'll be there and he'll tell us.

"I know he was friendly with some of the lads in the past, but he won't hold back from telling them anything. We're in fear of him because we know that if we don't play well, we won't be in the team.

"If you ask the players, they'll tell you that Gareth hates losing.

"He's always telling us that we have to aim high and not just plug away at what we're doing. He's played at the top and he knows what it's like to win things."

He also knows what it is like to preside over a team containing a significant amount of home-grown talent, something that is becoming increasingly uncommon in the English game.

While the 20 Premier League clubs have spent almost £400m on new talent this summer, Boro's line-up this afternoon could contain five players who have come through the Academy system if David Wheater is preferred to Chris Riggott at centre-half and Lee Cattermole starts at the heart of midfield.

"We don't have the money to spend like some of the top clubs do," said Downing.

"But I'm sure the top clubs are looking at us and thinking, 'I wish we had their Academy and the youth coming through that they have'.

"They're not just players to make up the numbers - they're good enough to be here and play.

"If you look at other teams, I'm sure they wish they had the Academy we have because it shows there's another way.

"Man United produced a similar crop of players.

I know it was a long time ago, but it always happens now and then.

"With a few experienced lads, a few buys and a mixture of the young lads coming through, I think we could have a good group of players this season."