The Teessiders finally put an end to their Barclays Premier League relegation fears last Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth.

They entertain Manchester City on Sunday knowing they can start to plan for the new season and with Southgate insisting he will learn the lessons of the last 12 months as he prepares to embark upon the third year of his managerial career.

Downing, who has been named the Official Supporters Club's Player of the Year, admits this season has been one of underachivement for his hometown club, but the 23-year-old England international is confident there is more to come.

he said: "Speaking to the manager, I know what he wants to do and how he wants to play.

"I am sure next season he will have a good go at it in his third year of management.

"He will want to do well, get his own players in and hopefully strengthen the squad."

Southgate succeeded Steve McClaren in the wake of his departure to England after the 2006 UEFA Cup final, and has presided over a major overhaul of the squad.

That work has seen the likes of record signing Afonso Alves, Tuncay Sanli, Mido, Jeremie Aliadiere and Gary O'Neil arrive at the Riverside Stadium inside the last year or so, and that has brought its own challenges.

Downing said: "The squad was ageing a little bit and we had to clear the decks and get new players in.

"That takes time and with Gareth taking over as manager coming from being a player, that has been tough for him.

"It has been a massive change, but hopefully in the long run, it will pay off."

Boro will look to end their season on a positive note with successive victories and then draw a line under a difficult campaign.

However, for Downing, he will reflect upon a significant milestone year in his career, having established himself as a senior player within the squad and added goals - eight of them so far - to his game.

He said: "In terms of the age thing, there are a lot of young lads coming through again, so I am one of the older lads in the team and more experienced
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"It is a good learning curve for them and it has been a good one for me because I have had to stand up and be counted.

"Sometimes it is tough on young lads and most of us have been there and done it, so it has been a long season.

"Personally, I did say I wanted more goals and I am pleased about that.

"Consistently, I have done okay playing, but it does help when the team is playing well as well."