Boro have made an encouraging start to the new Barclays Premier League campaign, beating Tottenham on the opening day and losing to Liverpool last weekend only in injury-time.

They got back to winning ways last night with a 5-1 hammering of Yeovil in the Carling Cup and, after making seven changes, it was a result Southgate found particularly impressive.

The former England defender said: "I think what was pleasing was that we made a lot of changes from the team that played on Saturday but if you had to put that team into a Premier League game you wouldn't lose sleep.

"That shows that we have got plenty of the squad fully fit, which is important, and that we have got a good squad now.

"I have got a lot of belief in these players and because we have got people that can play different positions we are better covered than we were last season."

Mido opened the scoring at the Riverside before Didier Digard, on his home debut, and Jeremie Aliadiere struck before half-time.

Gavin Tomlin pulled one back but Marvin Emnes headed in a cross from fellow new signing Justin Hoyte and Adam Johnson curled in a superb fifth.

Southgate added: "I think we are getting performances because their organisation on the field has been good and because of that they are able to express themselves and people are interchanging positions.

"Whenever anyone loses the ball they are all working hard to win it back. The mentality of the group is good. We will only succeed if that continues.

"People wanted to impress but they all did it in the right way. They were great individual goals but they all played for the team."