Gareth Southgate has brushed off
Neil Warnock's criticism of his team selection for Middlesbrough's
defeat to Manchester City.
Sheffield United boss Warnock was incensed that Southgate left
Jonathan Woodgate, Julio Arca and Mark Viduka out of his starting
line-up for Saturday's 2-0 home loss to City.
Warnock had suggested Southgate was doing his 'friend' Stuart
Pearce a favour and that his decisions were 'disrespectful' to
other teams battling against relegation.
"Personally I think it is a disgrace," Warnock told one of the
sources. "I know Stuart is a friend of Gareth Southgate's and I
know they've got Manchester United, but I'd love to see them lose
the next six games, Middlesbrough, and see how they feel in the
last couple of games when they are under that sort of
pressure.
"I think it's scandalous and I don't think a club like
Middlesbrough should disrespect Sheffield United or Charlton or
anyone else scrapping for their lives.
"I'm absolutely disgusted to say the least."
But, speaking after Boro's 1-0 replay defeat to The Red Devils on
Monday night, Southgate refused to be drawn into a war of words
with Warnock.
Southgate said: "Some people have had plenty to say about the team
I picked on Saturday.
"It was not just Neil Warnock, there were others as well.
"I make decisions for the benefit of this football club and I will
pick whatever team I want."
