Middlesbrough may well find themselves looking back in anger come the end of the season
Football managers have a well worn answer when asked how they would like to leave a club. It goes something like: “In a better state than when I joined.”
Only time will tell whether Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson was right to replace Gareth Southgate with Gordon Strachan.
But given that Southgate was sacked after a home win, and just one point off the top of the Championship, there is only one way Strachan will be able to say he’s left Boro better off. With promotion.
The problem is Strachan has inherited all the problems Southgate had. A young, inexperienced squad, prone to mistakes and finding it hard to cope with the pressure of playing in front of a fractious home crowd.
Strachan took the job saying he will get time to build a squad.
Gibson says he wants promotion this season, and the reason he sacked Southgate was because he didn’t think he’d deliver.
Unless Gibson can muster a decent level of investment in the January transfer window for Strachan, and hold on to star man Adam Johnson, I fear Boro will look back with nostalgia at the lofty league position that got Southgate fired.
Column
Why Suarez should feel ashamed for damaging not just Liverpool FC, but Kenny Dalglish too
David Maddock 16:03 12/02/12Kenny Dalglish sits alongside Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley in the holy trinity of Anfield folklore. ... Read More+
Column
Why it will be no holiday at this Villa for Mancini's men
Terry Butcher 08:00 12/02/12You have to go back to Guy Fawkes night for a home victory, so the odds on a win for Alex McLeish’s... Read More+
Blog
Comment: Why Liverpool need to accept Suarez is more sinner than saint
Mirror Football Blog 21:30 11/02/12Yesterday's Manchester United-Liverpool clash was a perfect opportunity to draw a line under the Sua... Read More+
Blog
Andy Dunn's Big Match Verdict: Why Rio's grand performance would make him Harry's ideal captain
Mirror Football Blog 21:30 11/02/12The idiotic refusal by Luis Suarez to shake Patrice Evra’s hand, the tunnel bust-up and Fergie’s af... Read More+
Blog
Comment: Why England need to get rid of their cosy club mentality
Mirror Football Blog 21:30 11/02/12I have been in the States this week where the sports news has been majoring on Gisele Bundchen’s pit... Read More+
Column
Harry has won our hearts - and now he can make England proud again
Ian Holloway 21:01 11/02/12Harry Redknapp's confession in the witness box that he doesn’t even know how to send an email may ha... Read More+
Column
Why I can't wait to face Moyes - my tip to replace Fergie - again
Ian Holloway 21:00 11/02/12I really miss pitting my wits against the best managers in the Premier League. However, next week I’... Read More+
Blog
Will Juan Sebastian Veron's football career have a fairytale ending?
Mirror Football Blog 18:07 11/02/12For the new season, MirrorFootball is teaming up with some of the blogosphere's best new writers to ... Read More+
Blog
Tweet my Handshake! The best gags from Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool
Football Banter 16:09 11/02/12Manchester United won the match but inevitably this encounter will be remembered more for the antics... Read More+
Blog
Watch David Beckham's amazing table football trickshot
Mirror Football Blog 11:11 11/02/12We all know what David Beckham can do on a real football pitch, but it seems old Goldenballs is pret... Read More+
Column
Why farcical forced pre-match handshakes should be scrapped
Mark Lawrenson 08:01 11/02/12The pre-match handshake is a meaningless farce and should be scrapped. You shake the hand of an oppo... Read More+
Column
Jose would be perfect for Spurs but Harry could manage England part-time anyway
Mark Lawrenson 08:00 11/02/12Jose Mourinho would be the perfect choice for Tottenham. And surely Spurs would be a great fit for h... Read More+
