Southgate: We Have To Beat Hull

BORO'S defeat at Bolton has raised Saturday's showdown with relegation rivals Hull City to the status of a "must-win" game, says Gareth Southgate.

In the past the manager has been reluctant to use that label, but he says nothing less than three points will do against Phil Brown's men.

However, if Boro do gain revenge for December's late and controversial 2-1 defeat at the KC Stadium - when David Wheater was red carded after conceding a hotly-disputed late penalty - Southgate believes they can still save their skins.

"We are going to have to win against Hull, there's no question about that," he said. "We need those three points. If we can get them, then things can turn very quickly.

"But we won't get that if we play like we did against Bolton. We defended really poorly and that 90 minutes summed up our season.

"We let the supporters down and we have to restore some pride against Hull."

Boro created chances at the Reebok Stadium but failed to convert enough of them and were undone by some hapless defending at the other end.

Southgate said: "As manager of the football club I've got to take full responsibility. The last 25 minutes wasn't acceptable and the players know exactly what I think.

"They are learning some very harsh lessons about what is needed to play at this level. People can see on the field many of the reasons we are where we are."

Boro are now five points from safety and with just seven games remaining, relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship is now staring them squarely in the face.

However, Southgate knows nobody at the club can afford to be downbeat and he is determined to lift his players for the battle ahead.

"We're obviously running out of time in terms of saving the season, but while there's light, there's hope," he said.

"The level of performance is going to be very important between now and the end of the season.

"We've got to do all we can to stay in this division. At the very least we need to restore some pride in our last seven games.

"We've got to deliver. We can't give empty promises and hope.

"We have to maintain a belief because it's never over while it's mathematically possible and I am determined that we will keep fighting until there is no air left."