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PREMIERSHIP TEAM PREVIEWS
MIDDLESBROUGH FC
Coach: Gareth Southgate (Eng)
Former Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough captain Gareth Southgate has now been manager of Middlesbrough for 2 years and in both seasons he has steered Middlesbrough clear of relegation, finishing 12th and 13th in his first and second seasons, respectively.
His record is not particularly impressive, but he is still finding his feet at management level. Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson is notoriously loyal to his managers and with Southgate still a fan’s favourite, anything other than relegation should guarantee Southgate’s job.
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Recent record: (Pos); Pl; W-D-L; F-A; Pts
2007/08: (13th); 38; 10-12-16; 43-53; 42
2006/07: (12th); 38; 12-10-16; 44-49; 46
2005/06: (14th); 38; 12-9-17; 48-58; 45
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Good:
Boro’s attack looks reasonably strong with Downing, Tuncay and Afonso Alves able to create chances and score goals. Young centre-back David Wheater’s reputation grew last season with some good defensive displays and a few headed goals to boot.
Bad:
Gareth Southgate is a well-liked manager and is still young at management level, but chairman Steve Gibson’s loyalty could backfire at some point; Southgate, after 92 games in charge, has just a 29% win percentage (the average win percentage for a sacked league manager is 32%) and despite 2 seasons of avoiding relegation since taking charge in 2006, there has not been a lot of progress.
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Transfers, Loans, Retirements...
IN: Didier Digard (Paris St Germain), Marvin Emnes (Sparta Rotterdam).
OUT; George Boateng (Hull City), Fabio Rochemback (Sporting), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), Lee Cattermole (Wigan).
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Star Player:
Stewart Downing was Middlesbrough’s only ever-present in the league last season, and his performances were essential for their survival. New England manager Fabio Capello is an admirer of the left-winger and it is likely that Downing will add many more caps to his current total of 18 - if Boro were to lose him, their chances of staying up would be greatly decreased.
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Summary:
Boro have some quality going forward and this should be enough to keep them from being relegated; their hardest task could be in keeping their key players Stewart Downing and Tuncay. Boro have finished in positions 11 to 14 eight times in their last nine seasons in the Premier league and another season of avoiding relegation with slight unease looks likely.
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TO WIN PREMIERSHIP:
Bet on Middlesbrough to win Premiership: $1,001.00 @ Bet365
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Match Previews 20-22 December:
Betzine UK is covering just the 15 games this weekend, with the Bundesliga shutting for the winter break.
Among the games are Arsenal against Liverpool at The Emirates, plus Everton's hosting of Chelsea.
read the Previews...:
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*** BETZINE UK RECORD ***
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*** LATEST PROMOTIONS ***
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Paddy Power
London Calling! (Sun 31st Aug)
If Deco scores at anytime, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st /last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match.
Click to open an account with Paddy Power
Read more about the promotion HERE
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Weekend Match Reports
Links to the match reports of games in the Premiership, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga
HERE
Starting this season; news feed for ALL Premiership teams available on Betzine UK
Read the news section HERE
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