Middlesbrough skipper Emmanuel Pogatetz yesterday (January 12th) praised the club's fans for their treatment of Stewart Downing against Sunderland on Saturday, BBC Sport reports.
The England winger has reportedly expressed his desire to leave the Riverside during the transfer window, with Tottenham already thought to have had bids for him turned down.
However, he produced an impressive display against the Black Cats - setting up Alfonso Alves for the opening goal - and Pogatetz believes the Boro faithful had a major influence.
He told BBC Tees: "It was brilliant and it gave him a huge boost. Everyone could see that he gives 100 per cent to this club and it was great to see the fans supporting us like they did."
Boro chief executive Keith Lamb has moved to pour cold water over suggestions that Downing could be on his way to north London in a £14.5 million deal, saying "no senior players will be leaving".
Pogatetz originally urged the club's fans to lay off academy graduate Downing last week and it would appear that they heeded their skipper's words.
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21 October 2010
21 October 2010
21 October 2010
20 October 2010
20 October 2010
