30th Jul 2011 | Football
Championship Preview 2011-12: Middlesbrough
All the big names have been heading for the exit door. But the bookies think Mowbray can work wonders.
Best title odds: 16/1 - Coral
Best promotion odds: 5/1 - Bet365
Best relegation odds: 25/1 - PaddyPower
Last season: 12th
Manager: Tony Mowbray
One to watch: Scott McDonald
Summer News:
Tony Mowbray heads into his first full season in charge just as the club have started to do a spot of belt-tightening. Boro were noted for their high wage bill last season but that situation is now being addressed. Big names such as fans’ player of the year Julio Arca and Kris Boyd have left, and now Leroy Lita is Swansea-bound. The former Celtic boss has so far only brought in French free agent Malaury Martin in midfield.
Verdict:
Utterly baffling why Boro have been made one of the promotion favourites when the money has run out, that following a mediocre campaign last time. The reputation of Tony Mowbray clearly counts for a lot; admittedly he led his troops to four straight wins at the end of 2010-11. But since then key personnel has left in droves. The Riverside favourite will probably do well to return another mid-table finish, but, as always, expectations levels will demand much more.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 16:32 30th Jul, 2011 but subject to change
