Downing rues wasted opportunities
by Tom Kell, 07 May 2008
Stewart Downing feels Middlesbrough only have themselves to blame for scrambling around to avoid relegation so late in the season.
Boro have endured a tumultuous season under Gareth Southgate and only ensured their Premier League future with a 2-0 win over Portsmouth last weekend.
Downing, who committed his future to The Riverside by signing a new contract earlier this season, admitted to being a relieved man when the club finally secured another year of top-flight football.
"It's definitely been a testing season," said the England international. "It's not nice when you're getting beaten two or three times on the trot and that doesn't breed much confidence.
"I think the lads have done ever so well sticking in there, we've dug deep and got some good results.
"It was a big game [against Pompey] but we should never have put ourselves in that position. There have been plenty of games which we should have won, especially at home.
"But we were in that situation for a reason and I'm just glad we're out of it."