AGNEW’S READY TO GO FOR IT
Boro need a glut of goals
RUDY GESTEDE says Steve Agnew’s passion can fire Middlesbrough to Premier League survival.
The second-from-bottom Teessiders are five points from safety with time running out to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
They have gone more than three months without a league win and sacked boss Aitor Karanka last week.
Caretaker manager Agnew tasted defeat in his first match in charge – a 3-1 home loss to Manchester United.
But Gestede insists the 51-year-old has the full backing of the dressing room as they look to turn things round with eight games to go.
The £6m striker said: “We’re all behind Steve and we know he can bring some fire into the team because he has amazing spirit and belief.
“He’s the right appointment and he deserves his chance.
“He knows us all well and it would be very hard for another manager to come in from the outside for the last few games.
“He’s only been in charge for a few days and ® so far he’s kept it simple. He’s asked us to play with confidence, work for one another and to trust in ourselves.” Karanka came in for regular criticism over his negative tactics, which saw Boro score just 19 league goals this term. His three-and-a-half-year reign was ended after a series of rows meant he lost the dressing room. Agnew has already shown he’s willing to be more adventurous in an effort to secure the wins needed to escape the drop. Gestede scored Boro’s first league goal for eight-and-a-half hours after coming off the bench against Jose Mourinho’s side, and added: “We have no other choice if we want to stay up. “We have to go for it and win games by making sure we’re on the front foot because that’s the only way we’ll earn enough points to survive.” Middlesbrough have confirmed that their rescheduled Premier League relegation showdown with neighbours Sunderland will take place at the Riverside on Wednesday, April 26.