Town, who slumped to the bottom of the Championship following victory at Coventry on Wednesday night, have had a tough week and are heading into Saturday’s six-point game against fellow Middlesbrough strugglers after back-to-back defeats to Rotherham United and Preston .
Town, who have won just once in five games under the Scotsman so far, have not won away since April 30 and are sorely lacking the services of Hogg, injured in the calf, and Matty Pearson in particular.
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On the Hogg rumours, Fotheringham said: “It’s absolutely ridiculous. The day after the game we were actually away and me and Hoggy had coffee together in the office and we chatted when he was coming back and stuff like that.
“What I would say is that Hogg, our captain, is a guy I watched from the start as a coach in Germany looking for English football.
“I really identified him as a person, not just as a player because he plays with so much passion and energy and he’s a real leader and exactly what we need at this time.
“But people have to understand, I only had Hoggy for one training session, so it’s going to be important for me to get those players back.
“What I’m doing right now is showing that I’m focused on the group and I have to give them a good feeling going into the games that they’re capable of winning games and they’re more than capable.
“We need to roll up our sleeves and everyone needs to galvanize and come together even closer. That’s why I find it ridiculous and absolutely unbelievable that people are making up stories about me.
“I’ve only been out for three weeks and I’m not one to rave and rant about players. That’s not my style. I’m a positive guy and here to support.
“Even when there’s adversity in games, I have big shoulders and I’m going to sit on the sidelines and they’re always going to support me. That’s me as a person.”
