Middlesbrough
Gareth Southgate has it all to prove
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Tuesday, 01, Aug 2006 04:32
Uefa Cup finalists last season, confidence should be high at new look Boro this term. But it hasn't always been this way.
Newcastle fans used to dress to impress for their annual trip to the Riverside for the Tyne-Tees derby. Gas masks and chemical boiler suits were their touching tribute to a legacy of heavy industry in the area, before a rather po-faced edict from local police put an end to such fun "in the current international situation".
It was the self-styled Smoggies who were laughing last season however as they were afforded regular escapes to sunnier climes in pursuit of Uefa Cup glory.
A deflating 4-0 final defeat by Seville meant that they ultimately only came away with a collection of exotic foreign alcohol and novelty ashtrays rather than silverware, but a couple of stirring comebacks en route lifted their season from their humdrum league form.
Steve McClaren has stepped into Sven's stack-heeled shoes and left veteran defender Gareth Southgate to take up the reins.
Despite his early return from World Cup punditry, the new manager has so far remained timid in splashing chairman Steve Gibson's cash when surely a touch of largesse is needed.
14th spot was a distinct decline from the form of the previous year that won them a solid top-half finish and a passport to European adventure.
Facts
Formed: 1876
Home: Riverside Stadium, capacity 35,049
Nickname: Boro
Adult 2006/07 season ticket prices: £410 - £580
Pedigree
League Cup winners: 1- 2004
People
Owner: Steve Gibson (majority shareholder)
Chairman: Steve Gibson
Chief executive: Keith Lamb
Head coach: Gareth Southgate
Assistant coach: Steve Harrison
Team captain: George Boateng
Last season
Premiership: 14th - P 38 W 12 D 9 L 17 GF 48 GA 58 GD -10 PTS 45
Uefa Cup: Final - lost 4-0 to Seville
FA Cup: semi-finalists - lost 0-1 to West Ham
League Cup: fifth round - lost 0-1 to Blackburn Rovers
Major summer ins
Julio Arca - in from Sunderland - £1.75 million
Jonathan Woodgate - from Real Madrid - season loan
Robert Huth - from Chelsea - £6 million
Jason Euell - from Charlton - undisclosed
Major summer outs
Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink - to Charlton Athletic - Free transfer
Franck Queudrue - to Fulham - signed
Unheralded star
Chris Riggott
Chris Riggott was touted as one of the brightest English talents in the game when linked with a move to Liverpool during 2002, but once he moved to Boro and the chance to ladle more pressure and hype on his shoulders slimmed, that label was passed to whichever other young tyro was flavour of the month; Liam Miller perhaps.
Anyway having been spared from the fierce glare of a big-club spotlight Riggott has quietly matured into the player he promised to be.
An assured presence alongside Gareth Southgate last season, the 25-year-old can do whichever central defender stereotype takes your fancy. Be it the blood-and-thunder combatant flying in to block thunderous shots without a hint of a flinch or the cool continental scholar of the game who reads the game as easily as he does the broadsheets and steps into the opposition's half without breaking out in the cold sweats that afflict his English counterparts.
Even getting sent-off in Middlesbrough's trip to Anfield didn't stop Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez considering renewing an interest in a player as he shopped around for a centre-half over Christmas last season.
Fortunately for Southgate, Riggott has no regrets about ending up on Teesside and, having renewed his contract in July, will be the defensive cornerstone on which his manager builds this year.
Starlets
Stewart Downing or Lee Cattermole
Downing is at the head of a generation of bright young things to emerge blinking into the Premiership spotlight from Middlesbrough impressive youth academy.
The 22-year-old winger was drafted into the England World Cup squad thanks to some strong late-season form for his club.
While Sven understandably wanted some attacking player in the squad who could use their left leg for more than just supporting its opposite, it may have been a step too far too soon for Downing.
Whereas Aaron Lennon strode carefree onto the international stage, zipping past defenders and sending crosses skimming opponents' six-yard box, Downing made far less of an impact.
Back home in the north-east he should find the going a little easier, but may need to add something to his game if he is to become the spearhead of a Boro climb back up the table.
Lee Cattermole kept luminaries of the calibre of Ray Parlour and Fabio Rochemback out of the side for periods after Christmas last season.
The combative midfielder certainly did one thing on the pitch that you suspect the other two would be unlikely to - finding the side he supports and plays for 4-0 down to Aston Villa the 18-year-old roamed the pitch with tears sliding down his cheeks.
Predictions
League position: 11th.
Southgate's sound relationship with the squad should see them put up more of a fight in the league.
Chances of managerial change: Possible.
Southgate is new to the managerial game and, although well-liked, may be branded too inexperienced if results run against him.
Top scorer: The Yak.
Nigerian international Yakubu proved his worth with 13 league goals in his first season and will do well once more. The £7.5 million fee paid to Portsmouth is beginning to look a bargain.
Player most likely to rock the boat: Mark Viduka.
Always adds considerable, and unpredictable, ballast to any vessel, the Australian striker can seem aloof and indifferent as he conserves energy up front. His laid-back approach to his undoubted talent has infuriated and frustrated a number of managers. But when he scores goals of the quality of his wonder-strike away to Birmingham last season all is forgivable.
Michael Henson.