The 24-year-old Austria international has formed a formidable partnership with England man Jonathan Woodgate at the heart of the Boro rearguard and has achieved cult status with the club's fans for his uncompromising approach.

His rapid development is all the more remarkable as he was signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £1.8million in June 2005 as a left-back and played most of his football in that position during his first campaign at the Riverside Stadium.

Steve McClaren, the man who took him to Teesside, always knew of his versatility, but it is under Southgate that he has blossomed.

Southgate said: "He has had an outstanding season. He has established himself as a centre-half - he came here really as a left-back and he played the majority of last season there.

"But he is more settled in his play this year and a lot more mature. He is only 24 and his best years are ahead of him as a defender."

Pogatetz and Woodgate will link up once again tomorrow when the Teessiders head for relegation-haunted Wigan looking for the point which will mathematically assure their place in the top flight.

Last weekend's 3-2 home defeat by Tottenham left them sitting 14th in the table on 40 points.

Southgate's side's were slow out of the blocks and trailed 2-0 before mounting a late, if futile, fightback.

That came just a week after they had restored pride with a deserved 1-1 draw at Manchester United, and the two results provide a graphic illustration of their baffling inconsistency.

Southgate is aware there is much work to be done during the summer and beyond, but Pogatetz's emergence as a tower of strength is a major boost.

The Austrian was quickly dubbed 'Mad Dog' by his team-mates for his no-nonsense attitude on the pitch - his booking at Old Trafford was his 11th of the season - although Southgate believes he is sometimes a victim of his reputation.

He said: "As a defender, inevitably you will get bookings, and sometimes his reputation goes before him a little bit.

"But that is why it is important to have a squad and people have to be ready to come in.

"Chris Riggott and Robert Huth did that against Watford and we need that competition for places.

"That is one of the reasons Emanuel has played so well. He knows if his level of performance drops, there are people to take his place.

"It is why you need competition for places and why you need a strong squad.

"The more people feel they are guaranteed to play, it can have a detrimental effect."