Middlesbrough - fan's review of 2008/09 Premier League season
Middlesbrough - fan's review of 2008/09 Premier League season
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Tuesday, 02, Jun 2009 04:12
Good, bad or just the same old, same old? What the fans made of the 2008/09 season.
It was always going to be a battle for survival at the Riverside this season but nobody expected the effort put forth by the Boro side to be so inept.
Boro's academy have always served the side well, and Steve Gibson's support is admirable, but Boro lack the financial clout to properly challenge in the Premier League these days.
The season started promisingly enough, two home wins and a narrow defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. But defeats to Portsmouth, Sunderland and West Brom signalled what was still to come.
It is impossible to pin-point the moment that truly cost Boro their Premier League place given the wretched run of just two league wins from mid-November, but the inability to find the net - a haul of just 28 league goals - was surely the biggest contributing factor.
Add in the fifth worst defense in the league and you have the recipe for disaster. Not that the blame should be put entirely on the defence, they were put under too much pressure by a midfield that could not keep the ball for more than three passes.
In many respects Boro have been slowly declining into this position since Steve McClaren left - it just so happens this was the season the inevitable occurred.
Grade: F
High Point
In amongst that shocking run of form was an FA Cup run to the sixth round before runners-up Everton ended hopes of another Wembley appearance.
However, the true high point was the 2-0 win over Liverpool at the Riverside in February. A display with fight and passion that suggested the team had turned the corner and might get themselves out of trouble.
Stewart Downing was magnificent in that game and for once his team-mates managed to match him for effort and execution.
Low Point
The run-in was fairly unbearable. The 0-0 draw against Fulham heralded the beginning of the end. The performance that day was shocking from the players in what was surely a 'must win' match.
Arsenal and Man Utd cruised to wins, leaving the Newcastle and Aston Villa fixtures as even bigger games than the Fulham one.
The lack of fight was in evidence in both matches, which only adds to the disappointment of relegation.
The manager
Gareth Southgate struggled to keep the side fully motivated and often looked devoid of ideas in his third season as manager of the club.
Perhaps the money spent on Afonso Alves would have been better used buying a handful of players with Premier League experience.
The fans on Teesside remain unconvinced and unless Boro start well in the Championship next season Southgate's stay at the Riverside could come to an abrupt, early end.
Fan's Player of the Year
- Tuncay Sanli -
Although Stewart Downing received seven man-of-the-match awards for Boro this season, Tuncay was the one who seemed to be putting his heart into it more than the rest.
He was also on the scoresheet seven times compared to a goalless league season for Downing.
An honorable mention for goalkeepers Ross Turnbull and Brad Jones who did their best to keep the score down under considerable pressure.
Needs for Next Season
The team needs more experience adding to it if it is to get out of the Championship. Southgate says he has a plan, with any luck it will include adding some steel to the spine of his team.
David Wheater needs to bounce back from a poor season, while a quality centre midfielder is required to play alongside Gary O'Neil - assuming either or both of them stay.
Stewart Downing looked to be heading out of the club until he injured his foot. He may now stay until January. Boro will do what they can to fend off interest in his likely successor Adam Johnson this summer.
Tuncay will be snapped up by someone, while Alves will gladly be driven to the nearest port by most Boro fans.
Marlon King may be a useful marksman in the Championship but Boro need more goals whatever division they are in - a striker is a must this summer.
Dominic Beaumont