Btw mate, do not spend loads at all. Middlesbrough have a lot of debt and if you spend a bit of cash they sometimes end up in administration with 10 points deducted. Just a warning mate
Chris Hughton's Middlesbrough ended the year on a high, winning 2-1 against Barnsley but not winning for 3 games before that. They end the year 4th on goal difference. However, they are only 2 points behind second. Hughton is hoping to bounce back against local rivals Sunderland in the FA Cup.
High Points:
Going 11 games unbeaten.
In with a chance of automatic promotion.
Beating QPR 4-0.
Walker, O'Neill and Emnes in good form.
Johnson in cracking form.
Lita scoring 10 goals!
Low Points:
Losing 3-0 to Newcastle.
Mohammed Shawky.
Lita in a bad run of form.
Losing to Scunthorpe.
Player of the Year so far: Adam Johnson- His running, dribbling, assisting and scoring are amazing. Enough Said. Most Improved: David Wheater- Scored 2 goals in one game and has been reliable and solid all year. Biggest Flop: Jeremie Aliadiere- 1 goal in 10 games. A truly shocking player.
Manager's Thoughts: A good start to the 2 months ended in disappointment losing 2 games in a row including the 3-0 loss to Newcastle. However, we beat QPR 4-0 and started off the month in good form. We still need to bounce back soon!
Saturday 3rd January 2010: 17:00: The Stadium of Light: Sunderland 0-1 Middlesbrough (Marvin Emnes(6))
In what should have been an easy victory for local rivals Sunderland, turned out to be a cup upset of the highest order. In just the sixth minute, Marvin Emnes turned the ball into the net with a fine header. Middlesbrough withstood the Sunderland barrage that followed and held out until the end. Hughton is said to be delighted with the result and he says that "it is always nice to get one over on your rivals!"
Saturday 23rd January 2010: 17:00: Craven Cottage: Fulham 0-1 Middlesbrough (Leroy Lita)
Brilliant Boro pulled off another shocking result, beating Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage. On 24 minutes Leroy Lita powered the ball home. Boro are now through to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup causing a second shock on the way. Hughton was unavailable for comment due to a large amount of alcohol being found on him after the match.
Chris Hughton's Middlesbrough find themselves top of the Championship and signing John Bostock, Victor Anichebe, Kyle Naughton and Zavon Hines on loan. Hines has bagged 3 in 2 and Anichebe scoring a vital goal in his only substitute appearance. O'Neill, Johnson and Lita are banging in the goals again, and we are top on goal difference. This is amazing considering we were 9 points behind Reading at one point!
High Points:
Signing Hines, Bostock, Naughton and Bostock on loan.
Winning 5 out of 6 this month.
Lita scoring again.
O'Neill on fire!
Scoring lots of goals.
Beating West Ham 3-1 in the Fa Cup.
Getting through to the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup!
Low Points:
Drawing 1-1 with Forest.
Manager's Thoughts:
An amazing couple of months. To be joint top after being 9 points behind is simply amazing. I hope it continues and I am delighted with my loan signings!