Southgate Pleased Players Were In Positions To Miss!

Last updated : 25 January 2009 By Boro Mad

Gareth Southgate: "I think it is important to win because in the last two years we have made the quarter-finals twice, and it has coincided with our league form improving.

"A lot of people expected us to get turned over and that it would be hard for us to get a result because they have got momentum and a league position and we haven't got that at the moment. But that didn't happen.

"It was a big ask as we had a young side out there but they responded to everything that was thrown at them and that is great credit to the group of players.

"At least we are creating chances.

"We had umpteen in the first half and could have been out of sight.

"There was some really good attacking play from us. The first goal in particular was a great move and we also had a couple of moves similar to that.

"That will give the lads confidence and, of course, hitting the back of the net is something we have not done often enough of late, but what is pleasing is that we are still creating chances.

"Adam (Johnson) could have had a hat-trick but he kept getting in there. He was there to miss them and that is the pleasing thing."