Boro slip into drop zone

GARETH SOUTHGATE is confident he still has the backing of his Middlesbrough squad, despite dropping into the relegation zone.

Boro have begun their fourth month without a win following this scrappy draw at Reading, a result which saw them tumble below north-east rivals Sunderland and into the bottom three for the first time in more than three years.

Southgate’s team last tasted success 11 matches ago on September 1 — and they have rarely looked like registering a victory since.