Boro on the brink of a grisly demise

MIDDLESBROUGH are reaching the point of no return.

Gareth Southgate’s side were already on the critical list before this game and now, having extended their losing streak away from home to a post-war record of nine matches, they are in serious danger of flat-lining.

A deflated Southgate admitted afterwards that if his side, who are five points adrift of safety, do not win one of their next two games their 11-year top flight residency will be over. The only consolation is that both those matches, against Hull and Fulham, are at the Riverside stadium.

“We have be realistic, they are crucial for us,” he said. “We have to go and beat Hull at home and if we can do that things can turn around – where there is light there is hope.

“We know exactly where we stand and, in no uncertain terms, the players have been left knowing exactly where they stand.

“They know my feelings on things but I am manager of the football club and I have to take responsibility for results and performances.

“We are where we are over 31 games because of the things we saw at Bolton and that’s my responsibility as a manager and I have to take that on board and take the flak for the players.

“It is inevitable confidence is low when we are in the position we are in but what we have to do over the next seven games is play with passion, pride and attack teams.”

One of Middlesbrough’s main problems is up front. Gary O’Neil’s goal at the Reebok stadium was their first in 679 minutes on the road and, in total, they have scored just 22 in 31 games.

Defensive frailties were also evident as early as the eighth minute when, firstly, Matthew Bates allowed Ricardo Gardner to go past him too easily. When the cross came in from the left Emanuel Pogatetz failed to deal with it and Kevin Davies scored his 12th league goal of the season.

O’Neil equalised seven minutes before half-time when Afonso Alves combined with Tuncay to thread a ball into the penalty area.

However, a minute before the interval Johan Elmander was given too much time in the penalty area to set up the unmarked Gary Cahill for Bolton’s second.

In the 78th minute Robert Huth inexplicably ducked under an inswinging Matt Taylor free-kick which crept in at the far post and Ricardo Gardner added the fourth five minutes from time.

The victory lifted Bolton up to 37 points and with such struggles going on at the foot of the table they appear to be safe.

“When you are a professional footballer there is a difference between the first part of the season and this part,” he said.

“There is such an intensity to be successful it’s untrue and it can inhibit you at times but it has gone okay for us.”

BOLTON (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen 7, Steinsson 6, Cahill 8, Shittu 7, Samuel 6, Taylor 7, Muamba 6, McCann 6, Gardner 7, Elmander 6 (Basham 83), K Davies 7.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-3-3): Jones 5, Hoyte 5, Wheater 4, Huth 3, Pogatetz 4 (Taylor 36, 5), Downing 5, O’Neil 8, Tuncay 6, Bates 6, Aliadiere 4 (Emnes 74, 5), Alves 5.

REFEREE: Alan Wiley 6: Effective and measured in his decision-making.

MATCH RATING: *** Middlesbrough’s capitulation was painful to behold: both team and manager look doomed.