IN THE HOTSEAT - EMANUEL POGATETZ

IN the latest of our popular Q and A features, Austrian international defender Emanuel Pogatetz answers your questions on everything from his favourite position, his greatest Boro memory - and and even why he drives a Mini with a Union Jack on its roof! 

With Robert Huth coming to Boro, is it a relief to talk to someone in your own language on a regular basis and it must be easier communicating on the pitch to Robert in German - or is your English fantastic?
Nick Hill

Manny: Of course it's nice if someone comes who I can speak German to, although Schwarzy can also speak German. But on the pitch we speak English because you can't switch between languages and the other players need to understand you. My English is quite all right but not fantastic.

Would just like to say you've been outstanding this season and keep up the good work! Most of the last season you played at left back, but this year you've been playing centre-back. Which position do you prefer?
Manish Kalia

My question is, do you prefer playing left-back or centre-half? We know you can do both but is there one you prefer over the other?
Hazel Clay, Stockton-on-Tees

Manny: Before I came to Middlesbrough it was about a 50/50 split of me playing in the two positions but I always said I prefer to play at centre-back.

Hi Manny, How do you pick yourself up after a defeat? Do you get over it quickly or, like me do you feel down for a few days? Love,
Sheila

Manny: It's a real problem because I feel down for a few days and I would like to not be like that because you have to get on with things. After a heavy defeat I'm really, really down and it's hard for my friends and those around me. I must try to change and accept that when it's done, it's done.

Manny, I like the way you play and the commitment that you show. I would like to see you play in central midfield for the rest of the season as a ball winner alongside George with Downing and Morrison on the flanks and Yak and Rocky ahead of you. I think that would be a really good formation as the four of them could bomb forward whilst you and George do the hard graft and provide cover. Would you be prepared to do that this season in the same way that your colleague Paul Scharner does for Wigan?
Jeff, Burnham

Manny: No, I don't think so. I have rarely played in midfield, I played on the left some games last season when Stewy was injured and there was no other player but it's not a position I can really play. We've got Catts, who is a similar player to George, so there's no need to bring another player into the midfield. We have loads of good midfielders and I don't think I would improve our team if I played there.

What was it like playing under Steve McClaren and can Gareth Southgate become a great boss at the club?
Mohammad Ibrar

Manny: For me under Steve McClaren it was very exciting because it was my first season in the Premiership and he was the manager who brought me here, so I tried to do my best for him. But it was also very hard for me because I wasn't used to the league. Now I know what the Premiership is about so I feel more confident. I believe Gareth Southgate will do very well at the club, he's changing things and that takes time but he will do well.

Do you think Premier League refs allow for the spirit of play more so than other leagues?
Tim Charleston

Manny: Definitely. I know when I first came here it was great for a defender because you can play hard in challenges but on the other hand I was frustrated when someone tackled me and it wasn't a foul. But it's great for the game, the tempo is higher and the ball is in play more and I think every league should be like that.

Just like to congratulate you on your form recently. It has been brilliant to see you putting in performances like that week in, week out. What are your ambitions for this season? Also how long are you willing to stay here because your performances tell me that you are committed to MFC?
PS Please don't grow your hair back!
Tom, Linthorpe

Manny: My ambition for this season, it's hard to say. The first thing is I want to be in the team as often as possible. We have lots of good defenders so that's a hard thing and I have to play well week to week or someone else will want my place. How long do I want to stay? I've still got another three years on my contract after this season and I definitely want to stay all three and I hope I can earn another contract because I really like it here and I want to stay as long as possible.

Your performances this season have been top class, the best I've seen you play since you arrived at Middlesbrough. How did you feel when you found out we had signed Huth and Woodgate when we already had Riggott and a lot of young defenders coming through the youths? Did you feel that your place in the team was threatened?
North Stand season ticket holder  

Manny: I wasn't frightened, it's more competition for places but I know if I play well there's no reason for the manager to change things. It also makes you demand more of yourself to perform well and there's more pressure so everyone gets better and it's not a bad thing. If you play at a big club there's a lot of competition, that's normal.

Following a somewhat shaky start to your Boro career, you appear to have now found your feet. Can you foresee your passion and determination and approach to your game making you a fans' favourite on Teesside?
Simon Dodsworth, York

Manny: It's always up and down in football. If you're paying well people will like you and it also happens that you have bad games and I hope then the fans will stay by me. There's no player who can play well in every game but I hope to play well as long as possible and have fewer poor games.

What would you say has been the main attribute behind your form this season? You've taken your game to another level and to me you are by far the teams most improved player. With your attitude you have the potential to be future captain.
Dale, North Stand season ticket holder

Manny: Firstly, because it's my second season and you know what's going on. Also, I had a good rest in the summer. Last year I had to look for a house and it's really hard in your first season but this season I'm settled in and couldn't have had a better pre-season. I have played lots of games in central defence and that's given me confidence, as has having Woody play alongside me.

Hello Manny, you're my favourite player and I think you're truly committed to Boro and you're absolutely amazing now, the best! I want to know how much Middlesbrough FC means to you.
Richard Mothersill

Manny: A lot, because I always wanted to play in the Premiership and it worked out it was Middlesbrough. I also wanted to play for a club where the fans are passionate and that's the case here in the North East. The fans are always behind the team and I really like it here.

Just wanted to say you're my fave player and definitely the best so far this season! Came to watch you train the other day at Hurworth, got your pic and autograph and was very happy, thank you! Do you own that gorgeous Ferrari? If not who does and what kind of car do you own? And which name do you prefer being called, Poggy, Manny or what? 
Lauren, West Stand Upper season ticket holder

Manny: The Ferrari is not mine. Mine is a Mini [with a Union Jack on the roof!]. I just like it when I'm in England because I'm proud to play in the Premiership and I like it. I think it's stylish. I would say I prefer being called Poggy.

Hello Emanuel Pogatetz, I have a number of questions for you.
1. Newspapers have been critical of the Teesside area, claiming certain players haven't been too keen to sign for the club due to the grubby look of the town and its industries. What are your opinions of the place?
2. Do you have any footballing idols you look up to?
Robert Thorpe, Pickering

Manny: I came to the Teesside area to play football and I can't imagine a better club to play for. Our fans are really passionate, week in, week out and I enjoy the fantastic atmosphere at the Riverside. That's why you play football, not to go out. The atmosphere is fantastic, the facilities are excellent and that's the main reason I'm here, not for how many shops there are in the town or anything else. Jaap Stam is a player who really impressed me and he's still doing well at Ajax in Amsterdam.

All right Manny? I wanted to ask what it was that attracted you to the Boro and just how different the Premiership is to the Austrian leagues?
Ben, Northallerton

Poggy how do you find the Premiership compares to the other leagues in Europe that you've played in?
Kenty

Manny: There's just more quality and it's tough because every team can beat everyone else. In Austria there are two or three good teams so you play one really hard games a month and three other games which are easier. That's not the case in the Premiership. It's five times harder to play in the Premiership than in Austria.

Do you get a lot of attention off people when you're out?
Kerry

Manny: If I got to Tesco people sometime come up to me for my autograph but it's quite normal, not like I can't go out onto the street anymore. I don't really like that so much if I'm out for a meal with my girlfriend but I don't mind when I'm in Tesco.

There have been many exciting nights at the Riverside since your arrival, but which ones for you have been the most memorable and why?
Rich, Plymouth

Manny: It's really hard but I would say Chelsea this season because it was my first goal at the Riverside and quite an important one as well. We also had some really good games last season, like Manchester United, when we were leading 3-0 at half-time, so I have lots of great memories.

Dear Manny, What do you like to do in your spare time and how do you like living in the area?
Sheila Bell

Manny: All my spare time I have to play with my little daughter. She doesn't give me a minute for anything else! I really enjoy spending time with her because we travel and train a lot so I don't see her as much as I'd like to.

How do you think we will do this season? Are all the players giving everything for the team and are you happy with your own form this season?
Anthony, Park End, Middlesbrough

Manny: I'm quite happy with my form at the moment. I think we can still do well this season. There are some things we have to improve but we're working hard on that. It's really tight in the middle of the Premiership and with a couple of wins you can move up very quickly - and with a couple of defeats you can also go down very quickly too. But I'm very confident we can finish the season in the top half of the table.

Hello Pog, You're my favourite player and you have improved to be the one of the best defenders in the Premiership. I want to know when you were growing up in Austria did Middlesbrough Football Club have a big name over there?
Richard, Linthorpe

Manny: I'd heard of them because I followed the Premier League and knew the teams but as normal in other countries they only show really big clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool, so they are the clubs they show on TV. But I always knew of Middlesbrough Football Club.

Hi Emanuel, I admire your determination and never-say-die attitude and you're a player I believe wears your heart on your sleeve. Players like you make my game stronger, someone to look up to and for the good of the game. But I was wondering who were your childhood heroes, who did you look up to as a kid and do they have any influence on the way you play today?
Alex, Middlesbrough

Manny: There are lots of players I thought I wanted to play like. Tony Adams was a really good defender, and Jaap Stam, who I mentioned before. I didn't really like midfielders or strikers. I always loved to look at defenders against the strikers. I've been a defender ever since I was a child. If I can make a good tackle or keep a clean sheet that means more to me than scoring a goal - or at least as much!