Gareth Southgate claims Emanuel Pogatetz's display against Tottenham on Saturday highlighted why he made him Middlesbrough captain.Southgate told the Gazette: "I felt that Pogatetz was the obvious choice as captain because he is a leader.
"He is such a strong character and has lots of qualities. He's an organiser on the pitch.
"He missed some of the pre-season games but I knew, fitness-wise, it wouldn't be too much of a problem with him.
"He got a cut in the first half but there was never any question that he would not be back out for the second half.
"He's a very important player to us."
The main problem Southgate has now is where he will play Pogatetz in future matches given that he has new signing Justin Hoyte ready to step into the right-back spot. That means the skipper will be fighting it out with Robert Huth and David Wheater for the two central defensive positions unless the boss opts to drop Andrew Taylor from his left-back role in order to accommodate Pogatetz there.
