In the second of a series of pre-season reports, HarryfromBath assesses the mood around the Championship clubs by delving into their forums, looking here at how things have progressed for the relegated Teessiders this summer. A report on Hull City will follow later today with the rest of the teams in the division covered between now and the start of the season.
"A new manager, a new system and half a new team”, "We will be among the top six in the first half of the season and then become the form team in the second half, finishing in the top two, mark my words”, "They must all have a point to prove after that pathetic effort in the Premier League.”
There is a definite sense of purpose among Teessiders this summer. The arrival of new manager Garry Monk coupled with some assured and confident squad building have given the majority of fans the belief that they can bounce straight back into the top flight after last season’s listless relegation.
"We don’t have the players to play the free-flowing football our fans are craving. We are a side more focused on discipline, keeping shape and building from the back. That’s why Garry Monk and Boro are a good fit. With the right tools at his disposal, we should see a greater attacking emphasis.”
"I’m quite content with Monk’s appointment. He’s a young manager with a lot of experience gained in quite a short time. He can grow with the club, something which will need to happen as we rebuild. I can’t imagine him playing dour Karanka-style football. Let’s see what happens, but I’m optimistic.”
"A positive change, but not a radical one.” The 38-year-old former Leeds boss was appointed in June, replacing acting manager Steve Agnew who had taken charge after Aitor Karanka was dismissed in March. Fans are optimistic that he can add creativity and flair which was so badly lacking last season.
"I'm very happy with Monk. A young, British coach with experience at this level and in the top flight”, "Swansea fans praised his ability to play attacking, possession-based football as well as grinding out results if needed”, "I’m looking forward to Leeds away next season”, "At least it’s not Nigel Pearson.”
"There is a defensive focus in Monk’s approach but it is possession-based. I’m not expecting free-flowing football but the key is that Monk likes his teams to attack with width and pace at the right times”, "Nothing will be as tedious as that rubbish Karanka served up, so basically it’s happy days.”
"Our team is pretty insane for the Championship at the moment. However, if [centre-back] Ben Gibson and [playmaker] Gaston Ramirez leave, we won’t be able to replace them with players of equal quality no matter how much money we throw at it”, "We look toothless without Ramirez.”
Teessiders are still nervous about losing two important parts of the spine of their team, but they have been happy with those who have left. Two frontline defenders to go are keeper Brad Guzan, who will join Atlanta United in January, and left-back James Husband who has moved to Norwich.
Winger Viktor Fischer has joined Mainz. Carlos De Pena is free to find a new club as is fellow wideman Stewart Downing, the veteran former England player reportedly linked with Harry Redknapp’s Birmingham City. Striker Cristhian Stuani has moved to La Liga side Girona for an undisclosed fee.
"Hopefully the transfer window will add some attacking prowess to an already solid foundation”, "We have our new manager installed and he has his own team starting to come in”, "The midfield and attack needed ripping up after last season and Monk has already done half of this job.”
Monk has moved to strengthen all areas of the squad. The defence has seen the arrival of full-back Cyrus Christie from Derby, Connor Roberts on loan from Swansea and the arrival has been confirmed this weekend of Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Darren Randolph from West Ham.
In midfield, Jonny Howson has been recruited from Carrow Road while two eye-catching strikers have been signed. Denmark international Martin Braithwaite has joined from Toulouse and is seen as a good foil for club-record-signing Britt Assombalonga who has moved from Nottingham Forest this month.
"Assombalonga is basically our Andre Gray type signing. Him and Braithwaite playing a little deeper will be a marked improvement for us”, "Britt’s record since his knee injury speaks for itself. We have bought him to score the goals to promote us and we couldn’t have made a more measured signing.”
Middlesbrough’s pre-season form has been erratic. Two games in Portugal saw them play out a scoreless draw with Oxford and beat Chesterfield 2-0. They have subsequently drawn 2-2 away to Mansfield and followed this up with a 2-0 defeat on Saturday away to Rochdale.
"Not far off our strongest team and we still can’t score”, "We lost against a bang average League One side.” New signings Randolph, Howson and Assombalonga did not feature in the starting XI (above) which lost at Rochdale. Fans again flagged up the side’s lack of creativity without Ramirez.
"Where are the assists coming from? We can’t pin all our hopes on Ramirez staying”, "Take him out of the squad and we are almost bone dry of players who will be set-piece masters in our starting XI”, "We have barely a creative player in the squad apart from him. That’s the problem at the moment.”
"Aitor Karanka put together a team of plodders with little ability in the final third and nobody with an end product. It is why we ended up so negative. We were totally bereft of ideas and just passing sideways and constantly making negative decisions when in good positions.”
Fans widely believe that the secret to an immediate return to the top flight lies in unlocking the flair which was stifled last season. "Karanka had us playing defensive football, relying on the counter-attack. I actually can’t remember a time when we were playing really attacking aggressive football.”
The busiest Middlesbrough forum is the friendly and knowledgeable One Boro.