Cool Southgate is on the right path

Judging by his performance in Middlesbrough's 1-0 defeat of Blackburn Rovers, Gareth Southgate's progress towards the World Cup finals has already been carefully plotted.

While Blackburn posed less of a threat than any combination of Swedes, Argentinians or Nigerians that the Boro defender may encounter next summer, his composure will be a valuable asset. Southgate said:'There's no doubt it's a very tough group. I just hope to keep playing well and hopefully go to Japan.'

His partnership with Ugo Ehiogu has been a key factor in Middlesbrough's recovery from a dreadful start to their season, but the challenge for Graeme Souness is to make sure that Blackburn do not show reverse trends to Boro. They offered little in reply to Alen Boksic's deflected goal and Souness said:'It was a poxy way of losing the game.'