Southgate gets that sinking feeling

IF Gareth Southgate really does possess the most bomb-proof job in the Premier League, the Middlesbrough manager doesn’t know it.

Southgate reacted to this latest pitiful defeat by urging his squad to “stand up and be counted” as he tries to reverse an alarming slide towards the relegation zone, but whether he will be given the time to discover whether they react to his clarion call is open to question.

Southgate admitted he could have no complaints if he was sacked by his famously patient chairman Steve Gibson after their winless streak was extended to 10 games with this thrashing, which saw Boro lose their heads as well as the points.