Free-spending Southgate is under the spotlight
CRUNCH TIME FOR GARETH
GARETH SOUTHGATE knows it is time to deliver. And we are not talking about the pizzas he once advertised.
This season, there will be no excuses, no escape route for the manager if Middlesbrough continue to stagnate in the league.
Southgate has been granted two relatively untroubled years to drastically alter the make-up of the ageing team he inherited from Steve McClaren.
Out have gone three internationals in their thirties — George Boateng, Fabio Rochemback and Gaizka Mendieta — along with Lee Cattermole and Lee Dong Gook.
Cost
Southgate is endeavouring to make Middlesbrough a slick, quick and inventive outfit. Whether he possesses players who can fulfill that admirable objective will dictate his future at the club.
But new signings Marvin Emnes, 21, and Didier Digard, 20, are the notable additions at a combined cost of more than £7million.
Southgate also expects more — much more — from Mido, who has lost 22lbs thanks to a summer training regime.
In addition, Robert Huth is back after an injury-troubled year, while Tuncay and Jeremie Aliadiere are expected to kick on after their first year at the club.
KEY TRANSFERS
IN: Didier Digard (PSG) £4m; Marvin Emnes (Sparta Rotterdam) £3.2m.
OUT: Lee Cattermole (Wigan) £3.5m; George Boateng (Hull) £1m; Jason Kennedy (Darlington) free.
SCORE PREDICTION: 12th
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