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Bates calls on fans' backing
Middlesbrough, 12:04, February 10, 2009 ,
Utility man Matthew Bates has called on the Middlesbrough fans to help the players pull themselves out of relegation zone this season.
The 22-year-old, who has forced his way into boss Gareth Southgate's plans in an unusual central midfield spot in recent games, is aware that the Boro faithful are starting to get very anxious about the club's predicament after a damaging 13-game run without a victory.
Boro are stuck in the Premier League's drop zone, but Bates feels the players are capable of getting out of trouble, although he says the fans need to play their part as well.
He told the Gazette: "Our fans are brilliant and it's important that everyone stays upbeat and sticks together. I'm a fan myself so I know it's frustrating sometimes.
"I know the fans want the club to do well and they are looking back at the couple of years we had in the UEFA Cup.
"It's difficult for them to take that we are in a relegation fight at the minute and I can't blame them, but that's how it is. There are six or seven teams in the same situation as us and I know it's a cliche, but staying up could come down to little things like how the fans can be our 12th man.
"We've got 13 games left and we need everything from the lads. And I know for a fact that, speaking on behalf of them, everyone will give it everything.
"We haven't got any given right to be in the Premier League and we need everything from the fans and players. Other teams' fans might be getting on their backs but we need everyone to get behind us really.
"We've got a lot of confidence that we will get out of it and if everyone works together I'm sure we will."