2011/12 Season Preview: Middlesbrough

VitalWatford take a look at the Teesiders ahead of the new campaign...

Gaffer: Club legend, Tony Mowbray, who looks to be slowly steadying the ship at the Riverside.

Despite a fat-trimming exercise being in operation for 'Boro this season Mowbray will be looking for his side to reach the upper echelons of the league still.

Position 10/11: 12th, which after a poor start that cost Gordon Strachan his job, Mowbray forced 'Boro up the table, kicking and screaming.

In: Malaury Martin and Curtis Main (Free Transfers).

Out: Willo Flood, Andrew Taylor (Released), Didier Digard (Nice, undisc.) and Kris Boyd (Eskisehirspor, undisc.).

Star Man: Talismanic midfielder and skipper, Barry Robson is the creative heartbeat of the midfield scoring goals and creating them too.

Signed from Celtic by Strachan in 2010, making 50 appearances and scoring 10 goals for the North East outfit.

Best Business: Emptying the wage bill of high-earners Willo Flood, Andrew Taylor, Kris Boyd and Didier Digard has handed Tony Mowbray some much-needed funds to improve the squad.

Prediction: Around the Play-offs, in or out, 'Boro should be capable of being in with a fighting chance of a top-six finish.