Southgate admits there were times during his playing days at the Riverside Stadium when he knew he would be selected - even if he had played badly. However, as Southgate now attempts to bring a fresh approach to the challenge of establishing the Teessiders in the top half of the Premier League table, he insists that has to change.

The Middlesbrough manager outlined his tough new stance following the departure of former skipper and team-mate George Boateng for promoted Hull this week.

"George was frustrated that he wasn't an automatic choice last season, but as the manager, I felt the culture of the club in terms of that sort of issue needed to change," Southgate said. "I don't think anybody can be guaranteed their place.

"We need competition for positions and maybe people who have been here a while found that difficult to deal with. I know when I was here, even if I played badly, I was always in the team and I don't think that was a healthy situation for me.

"That is an aspect that has changed over the last six months and will be in place this season. We have got competition and people have to perform, otherwise they won't play."