MIDDLESBROUGH manager Gareth Southgate is confident his players have discovered a new-found belief that will ensure a positive response to Saturday's home defeat against West Ham.

The reverse was their first in four games and followed a run of seven points from nine that carried them out of the bottom three.

Such a demoralising late defeat could have a negative effect on his players, but Southgate believes a culture of collective responsibilty can keep his players focused on the teams above them rather than the bottom three.

They face a trip to Birmingham City on Boxing Day knowing a win would give them a fivepoint cushion over Alex McLeish's side.

"You've got to get over your disappointments very quickly in this league and at this time of year; you also have the opportunity to put things right very quickly," said Southgate.

"There's nothing we can do about West Ham now, but the response is everything. We had a difficult period a few weeks ago and came through it, but Saturday was a huge disappointment for everybody. To lose late on with West Ham playing one up front is very tough to take.

"But we've had worse things happen to us. And it's how we respond that's the most important thing."

The determination to get the right response was echoed by Luke Young and Julio Arca The pair are confident progress made in the last few weeks will enable them to shrug off Saturday's disappointment.

"I told Alan Curbishley after the game they didn't deserve all three points and he agreed," said Young, who played under Curbishley at Charlton. "He could not see his side winning but he couldn't stop smiling.

"We needed a decent result going into Christmas and we will be down for a couple of days, but we have picked ourselves up before and we'll do it again."

Arca said: "West Ham only had two chances in the game and they scored from both of them.

We were playing so well and to lose a game like that makes me feel very upset. But we have another game on Wednesday and have to bounce back. It is so frustrating."

Equally frustrating is the fixture schedule that will see Boro fans undertaking gruelling trips to Birmingham on Wednesday followed by a 500-mile round trip to Portsmouth on Saturday.

Southgate said: "It's tough for the supporters. I don't know how the powers-that-be can throw that up.

"It's OK for us because we have the luxury of flying there but it's a real bind for the fans."

* Jonathan Woodgate is expected to be fit to start at Birmingham City on Boxing Day after going off with cramp in the second half against West Ham.

George Boateng, who received his fifth booking of the season on Saturday, will be banned from Saturday's trip to Portsmouth.