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Southgate Ready for Six-Pointer Wednesday 6th May 2009
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate says his side’s match against Newcastle next Monday is a crucial, must-win game.
Both Boro and Newcastle are fighting desperately to avoid relegation from the Premier League but with only three games remaining, time is not on their side.
Boro lost 2-0 at home to Manchester United on Saturday while the Magpies were thrashed 3-0 by Liverpool 24 hours later.
Both sides are now on 31 points, three behind Hull City, but Newcastle have the better goal difference and Southgate knows his team must do all they can to come away from St James’ Park with a win.
“It is possibly the last throw of the dice because we need the momentum of a win to carry into the last two games,” he said.
“The reality is, as I have said for a number of weeks, that we have to go to Newcastle and win.
“The last two weeks, we have been looking for a miracle, really, to get a result against the two teams we have been up against.
“Now we have realistic opportunities and we have to take them. We have got it all to do - but we have known that from probably 10 weeks ago.”
Fantasy Stakes players will be aware that next Monday’s game is sure to be a tie with plenty of passion and full-blooded tackles. The referee will have to do his best to keep a lid on proceedings.
Boro haven’t won away from home in the league since beating Aston Villa on November 9 and will be praying they can end that abysmal run in their rivals’ back-yard.
But don’t let the Teessiders’ away record trick fantasy football players into thinking this game will be a guaranteed home win.
Newcastle haven’t taken all three points at St James’ Park since beating Spurs on December 21.
