Growing weaker by the year
After several successful seasons and getting up on the standings, since Southgate took over, Middlesbrough started going downhill. Transfer campaign was not quite successful in the last couple of seasons. The biggest problem for Boro in the last season were goals. Signing Alfonso Alves partially solved this problem but we can't say that it is gone. As usually Boro are more than good against big teams, but they mark weak results against direct rivals. Southgate failed to change that and if they play like that this season, they could face serious problems, even the danger of relegation.
The players are going away
Although some players are mentioned as Southgate's transfer targets, we can't say that Boro did a good job in this transfer window. Digard and Emnes are not the players whose names resonate far enough to satisfy the fans, and several more than good players leaving could cause problem in the forthcoming moths. Luke Young left to Aston Villa, Boateng to Hull and keeper Schwarzer to Fulham; adequate replacements didn't come so Southgate will certainly have a problem in defense that didn't work well last season either. Last year Alves scored goals in the finish of the season so the fans hope that he will continue the same pace this season but even so unless Southgate reinforces the team in the next few days Boro will have trouble repeating the results form last year.
In
Digard (PSG), Emnes (Sparta)
Out
Schwarzer (Fulham), Luke Young (Aston Villa), Cattermole (Wigan Athletic), Boateng (Hull City), Rochemback, Mendieta, Dong-Gook, Kennedy (Darlington), Thompson (Port Vale)
Relegation battle
Although Digard and Emnes showed in preparation games that they have the potential and that they can be good back-ups, the question is if they will be able to repeat such play in the Premier League. Unless new back-ups are signed, Boro could be another unpleasant surprise and they could face the relegation battle. They don't have good solutions for the keeper and right wing, and we can't say that there are too many quality options for other positions in the team as well. This could be the toughest season for Middlesbrough since they entered Premier League.
Our tip: Boro to be relegated
Odds 8.00
Bookmaker: Bet365
CL
CLQ
UEFA
RELEG
