GARETH SOUTHGATE revealed last night that “wholesale changes” will be made at Middlesbrough this summer even if the club start next season in the Premier League.

The manager’s admission was the clearest indication yet that his policy of relying on youth is set for a major overhaul.

Southgate’s position as manager is not believed to be under threat, although he is scheduled to sit down with Steve Gibson this week, when the chairman will outline the changes he expects to see implemented before the start of next season.

Victory at West Ham tomorrow afternoon is essential if Southgate’s side are to take advantage of any slip-ups by Newcastle and Hull. Relegation however, remains the most likely scenario for the Teessiders.

But whatever the outcome at Upton Park, Southgate has already earmarked some players for the chop.

Reports in recent weeks have predicted there will be a summer exodus from the Riverside as prized assets such as David Wheater, Tuncay Sanli and Adam Johnson prepare to secure their own future in the top flight. Southgate has set aside time next week to sit down with a number of his squad, when some could be told they’ve played their last game in a Middlesbrough shirt.

“Having had the results we’ve had this season it would be folly not to make wholesale changes,” said Southgate, who admitted his side are a “long shot” to avoid playing Championship football next season.

“Of course I would change things, otherwise I would be an idiot, but hindsight is easy isn’t it? I think results have told me a lot about people and staff that I work with. You know people’s strengths and how they will react under pressure now. It has been helpful in a way. None of us would know how we would react if we hadn’t been through that.”

Player recruitment will also be high on the agenda in the forthcoming days, as will the implementation of moves that will reduce their reported £85m debt and ensure their long-term stability.

“I think clearly we have not been good enough this year.

Players will be a year older and more experience but we have fallen a long way short of where we want to be.

“I think we would need a lot of changes here. Every team in the division will try to improve and we’re 19th, so we have bags of room for improvement.

Possibly, there will be big changes,” said Southgate.

Supporters made their feelings clear at the end of last Saturday’s draw with Aston Villa, many directing their frustrations squarely at the manager.

Despite some fans continuing to voice misgivings about Southgate’s role in their current plight, the club are believed to be committed to starting next season with their former skipper still in charge of team affairs.

The manager revealed he had no problem with supporters expressing their opinion and declared his determination to win back any doubters by improving performances on the pitch.

“I don’t mind criticism. I got it last week, but I wanted to thank the supporters. I have had eight years here as player and manager and my relationship with the fans is very special. I am big enough to cope with it and I have been around long enough to know if we start winning games next season my popularity will change for the better.”

While the pressure of battling relegation has clearly taken its toll on Southgate he has remained admirably calm as the season reaches its climax.

But there have been flashes of the manager’s tougher side in recent weeks.

In response to a suggestion that Boro players and staff didn’t feel the threat of relegation as sharply as the fans, Southgate snapped back: “Nonsense! We have nothing else in our lives. You live with it 24 hours a day. For players and staff you live with it all the time and it’s constantly in your thoughts.

“Unless you have been in football it is difficult to understand that. To say people don’t care when it is their job and their living is nonsense.”

There was no good news on the injury front ahead of tomorrow’s game, with Didier Digard and Emanuel Pogatetz failing to prove their fitness.

Southgate admitted that Stewart Downing’s lay-off could see the England winger still be a Boro player at the start of next season.

“He won’t be available until the end of the summer anyway.

We have to see how things progress.”

In Downing’s absence, Southgate will hand Adam Johnson a chance to impress at West Ham.

“Adam wants an opportunity of regular football so he has got a chance now on Sunday.

“I look forward to watching his performance.”