West Brom were the first side to be relegated last weekend but the writing has been on the wall for most of the season. The problem for the Baggies is they shipped far too many goals. My old Celtic team-mate Tony Mowbray has shown similar ideals to Arsene Wenger in the way he wants his team to play but if you continually leak goals, you have no chance of survival.

(more…)

Middlesbrough face a tough task staying up this season though they are one of a number of clubs in a relegation fight down at the foot of the table. Personally I would be delighted if they stayed up. They have a fantastic chairman in Steve Gibson who cares deeply about the club and has backed it to the hilt and despite criticism of Gareth Southgate by some sections of the media I think the manager is fine.

(more…)

Is the lack of black managers in England really down to racism?

(more…)

Boro have won just once in the last 6 matches but have been unfortunate not to have picked up more points in recent games. Gareth Southgate’s team have drawn the last 2 matches at home to Liverpool and away at Blackburn but could have won both after impressive displays that perhaps deserved more.

(more…)

Gareth Southgate looks set to do a fair bit of business in the January transfer window with a striker high on the list of priorities but its the distant sound of the samba drums that will be exciting the Boro fans. The Riverside has been a haven for a number of Brazilian imports over the years including Juninho (3 spells at the club), Emerson, Branco and Fabio Rochemback. This January there could be a couple more to add to the list in the shape of strikers Afonso Alves and Fred.

(more…)

Two of the bookies favourites for the next managerial casualty clash this weekend at the Riverside as Gareth Southgate and Rafa Benitez go head to head. Both men find themselves facing constant press speculation on their futures along with poor old Big Sam at Newcastle. The January transfer window should highlight exactly what the future holds for the pair and will enable us to see just how much their respective clubs will back their men with hard cash and new faces.

(more…)

These sides met in last season’s FA Cup 4th round and only penalties separated the 2 sides after two 2-2 draws despite City being a League One side at the time. This season Bristol City will be looking to go a step further and beat their struggling Premier League opponents and if form is anything to go by, they will.

(more…)

Pompey have not scored at Fratton Park for 450 minutes but surely a visit from Middlesbrough gives them a chance to end this barren run. The home faithful have not turned on their side despite the lack of goals and will be buoyed by an impressive Boxing day 0-0 draw with Arsenal. Portsmouth have some impressive attacking players in Kanu, Benjani, Kranjcar and Utaka and this is a match where they may finally get a chance to earn a goal bonus.

(more…)

Boro’s mini revival ended at home to West Ham on Saturday and up next is a trip to St Andrew’s where Middlesbrough have won just once in 29 years. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Gareth Southgate, Boro have won the last 3 meetings between these sides including a 3-0 win on their last visit to the Blues.

(more…)

On paper this looks like a decent chance of three points for the Hammers but looking back at the history books you soon find out this is one club West Ham hate to visit. The year 1990 is remembered for many different reasons. Some remember England reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup or James ‘Buster’ Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson. Perhaps Nelson Mandela being released from 26 years imprisonment or the reunification of Germany springs to mind. However, die-hard Hammers fans will remember the year for their sides last win at Boro. Yes, that’s correct it has been a mere 17 years since ‘mad-dog’ Martin Allen scored in a 1-0 win for the Irons in their last win on Teesside. If Middlesbrough confidence wasn’t boosted from their last 2 League wins then the knowledge that West Ham have not beaten them at home in the history of the Premier League surely will.

(more…)