AFTER the sacking of Gareth Southgate, people are already saying that, after winning his last game and lifting them to one point behind the league leaders, the sacking was ill-timed but I have to disagree.

If the management had waited until he lost his next game and then sacked him, it would have looked as though the decision was, purely, out of desperation.

This way proves that some thought has been given, prior to the announcement and maybe the mangement had come to the conclusion that Gareth had gone as far as he can and that they could not leave it too late as they did last season.

They need someone with the experience and pedigree to make sure that they not only gain promotion back into the Premier League, but to have a team that can stay there and contend instead of survive.

Boro have had more than their fair share of novice managers over the years, so this time I hope the next one is fully qualified with a pedigree a mile long.

T Seale, Middlesbrough