Boro are now 10 games without a win in the Premiership, and the most-recent 3-0 defeat to rock bottom West Bromwich Albion (WBA) fueled more speculation regarding Southgate's future.

The former England international's comments after the WBA defeat demonstrated his critical situation, as he once again revealed the consternation of the club's board.

"I sit down with Steve Gibson (chairman) and Keith Lamb (chief executive) all the time and I know that they are not happy with the situation we are in," Southgate was quoted by the Evening Gazette.

"If they feel that there is a need for change then I can have no arguments. I believe that I have their backing and that I try to do things in the way in which we all believe they should be done.

"In the last few weeks certain situations have flared up, but I believe we do the majority of things right."

Boro are currently level on 21 points with WBA, a stance which admittedly encouraged the club's Egyptian forward Mido to consider his options.

The 25-year-old is desperate for first-team football as Southgate keeps faith with frontline duo Afonso Alves and Sanli Tuncay.